The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will make all project biddings accessible to the public through livestreaming to promote transparency in its procurement activities.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the initiative will start with the bidding for the multi-billion Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge.

“If the public can keep an eye on the projects, monitoring will be strengthened and corruption in the past will not happen again,” Dizon said.

In a memorandum order dated Sept. 16, the department directed its central, regional, and district offices to implement livestreaming of bids and awards proceedings.

Links to the livestreams will be posted on the agency’s official social media accounts to ensure that stakeholders, including ordinary citizens, can monitor the proceedings.

Dizon clarified, however, that livestreaming will not apply to hearings of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), stressing that legal processes are “very sensitive” compared to bidding activities that have no confidential matters.

“What’s important is that the bids and awards committees across the country comply with the requirements for public bidding,” he added.

Despite the exemption, Dizon assured full cooperation with the commission, saying his office will provide all necessary documents and evidence to support its ongoing investigations.

ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka earlier explained that hearings are not being livestreamed to avoid trial by publicity, noting that discussions are ongoing to balance transparency with the protection of individual rights.