Infrastructure Watch PH brings transparency of foreign-funded projects into focus

PASIG CITY — As the Philippines faces renewed public scrutiny over the planning, financing, implementation, and monitoring of infrastructure projects, a new initiative is seeking to strengthen transparency and accountability in another critical area: foreign-funded infrastructure.

The Center for Research and Communication–Institute for Local Development (CRC-ILD) launched Infrastructure Watch Philippines on July 21 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas as part of the international program Infrastructure Watch in Asia and Africa, implemented by the US-based Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE).

The initiative will assess how proactively Philippine government agencies disclose information on large-scale infrastructure projects financed through official development assistance (ODA). Its findings are intended to provide an evidence-based basis for dialogue among government, business, civil society, researchers, and other stakeholders on how infrastructure planning and implementation can be made more transparent and accountable.

Economist Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, co-founder of the Center for Research and Communication, which is the forerunner of the University of Asia and the Pacific, said stronger infrastructure investment must go hand in hand with good governance and transparency if the Philippines is to sustain economic growth.

“The Philippines has to be careful not to fall into the middle-income trap,” Villegas said. “A key to accelerating growth and achieving upper-income status is increased infrastructure spending, but we also need to attract more foreign direct investment. For that to happen, we need to demonstrate our commitment to good governance and make our processes more transparent and accountable.”

He added that the Philippine government's engagement with Infrastructure Watch Philippines “demonstrates this commitment and signals an openness for dialogue and reform that can help strengthen both investor and public confidence.”

DEPDev Assistant Secretary Erick Planta, CRC Co-Founder and Research Director Dr. Bernie Villegas, and CRC-ILD’s Project Director Mir Tillah during the Stakeholder Consultation and Launch of Infrastructure Watch Philippines. Photo from CRC.

The July 21 launch was preceded by a stakeholder consultation on the initiative's methodology and initial assessment of infrastructure projects. Representatives from the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), the Department of Finance, the Department of Trade and Industry–Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines, the National Irrigation Administration, the Philippine Constructors Association, and CIPE participated in the launch and consultation.

The stakeholder consultation was intended to gather feedback and help ensure that the assessment accurately reflects existing information-disclosure practices and processes.

Infrastructure Watch Philippines will examine publicly available information on foreign-funded infrastructure projects and identify opportunities to improve disclosure and strengthen accountability. Rather than serving as an investigative or enforcement mechanism, the initiative aims to provide an independent, evidence-based basis for constructive engagement among stakeholders.

The Philippine assessment is currently underway, with the final findings on government disclosure practices for ODA-funded infrastructure projects scheduled for public release in October 2026.

CRC convened government oversight and infrastructure agencies such as DEPDev and DOF to review the methodology and initial assessment of the quality of information being disclosed on foreign-funded infrastructure projects as part of Infrastructure Watch Philippines. The transparency assessment report will be publicly presented in October 2026.

For more information, contact ild@crcfi.org.#