Modern technology and innovative solutions are our partners in economic development and we should embrace them. They are indispensable if we want to make the economy robust and move forward.
The construction industry, in particular, supports our nation’s progress, creating the essential physical assets-from roads and power plants to subways and homes-that drive our economy and provide millions of jobs.
However, to truly harness the sector’s potential and ensure that every peso invested in public works yields maximum benefit, we should address the issues of delay and waste that have eroded public trust.
The industry is at a crossroads, with new technologies offering potential for improvement in efficiency, safety, sustainability and transparency.
Persistent challenges like project delays, quality issues and financial shortage in public works slow down essential nation-building efforts. To speed up our infrastructure development while ensuring every peso of public funds is spent wisely, we should embrace innovative solutions.
I firmly believe that adopting modern, data-driven approaches is the key to overcoming these obstacles. One such powerful tool is the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, for site surveillance, surveys and monitoring.
This technology is not just about making construction more efficient -it is about establishing an unwavering standard of accountability and fundamentally transforming how we manage and monitor our public infrastructure projects.
We have filed Senate Bill No. 1438, or the ‘Government Construction Project Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025.’ The measure seeks to harness modern technology by mandating drone monitoring for all national government construction projects before any payments are processed.
Our proposal-applicable to agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTR) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)-will empower citizens with tangible evidence of project progress and ensure that government expenditures correspond directly to actual, verified accomplishments.
It requires independent, accredited third-party entities to conduct aerial documentation through UAVs, providing high-resolution geotagged imagery, video footage and orthomosaic mapping of projects. The data will be uploaded to a centralized public transparency portal accessible to citizens.
Under our proposal, payments cannot be processed without the required drone verification documentation. Contractors and government personnel who submit or approve falsified monitoring data face penalties under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
By establishing this system of independent documentation uploaded to a public portal, and penalizing any falsified data, the initiative will not only transform project management but also strengthen the foundation of trust between the government and the public.
The bill directs relevant agencies to set accreditation standards for monitoring entities within 60 days of enactment. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will provide technical support in drafting the implementing rules and regulations.
We need innovative solutions like this to tackle our infrastructure challenges. The Metro Manila Subway project, for example, uses state-of-the-art tunnel boring machines to build a 33-kilometer, 17-station underground line that will run from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City, ending at Bicutan Station in Taguig City with a spur line at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
We thank the Japanese government for supporting this project, which requires expertise and modern solutions to build our first modern subway system.
By adopting innovative solutions, the construction industry will move toward a future that is more efficient, data-driven, safer and world-class. The construction sector remains a key component of our economy, as the latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) reflects a strong labor market performance.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported last week that the national unemployment rate eased to 3.9 percent in August 2025 from 4.0 percent in the same period last year, thanks to the addition of 942,000 jobs over a 12-month period.
Data from the PSA showed that construction added 540,000 jobs-the most of any subsector-in August 2025, proving that it remains a key component of our economy and a major enabler of growth in other sectors.
Embracing modern technology, as demonstrated by landmark projects like the Metro Manila Subway, will bring us closer to our goal of having world-class infrastructure.
By adopting new technologies, we will not only expedite our infrastructure development but also forge a stronger foundation of trust between the government and the people, proving that our commitment to national progress is both innovative and beneficial to all.