How the public can directly fight corruption in govt projects

Allegations of corruption in public infrastructure projects, particularly flood control initiatives, have reignited demands for transparency and accountability in government spending. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his recent State of the Nation Address, flagged irregularities in these projects, while Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong exposed a “highly organized” corruption scheme involving collusion between contractors, bidding agencies, and lawmakers, allegedly receiving 35 to 40 percent in kickbacks. These revelations highlight the urgent need to strengthen the Citizens Participatory Audit (CPA), an initiative of the Commission on Audit (COA), to combat systemic corruption. By partnering with the business community, the CPA can evolve into a more effective tool to protect public resources.

The CPA was institutionalized under COA Resolution No. 2018-006 on February 1, 2018, to formalize citizen participation in government audits. This initiative is rooted in Article II, Section 23 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which encourages citizen involvement in governance, and Article IX-D, which empowers COA to define audit scope and methods to prevent wasteful spending. The CPA allows citizens and civil society organizations to voluntarily join COA audit teams, ensuring public funds are used efficiently and ethically. These citizen auditors, reimbursed for reasonable expenses, assist in auditing government programs and projects, such as infrastructure initiatives. Aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability, the CPA has gained international recognition as a model for participatory audits. More than a technical process, it is a reform strategy that upholds public accountability, promotes transparency, and fosters partnerships between COA and civil society.

Despite its success, the CPA faces challenges in addressing large-scale corruption, such as irregularities in flood control projects. A strategic partnership with the business community can bridge these gaps and amplify the CPA’s effectiveness. Businesses bring technical expertise, resources, and a shared commitment to ethical governance, making them invaluable partners in strengthening the CPA.

The business community can enhance the CPA in several key ways. First, businesses in construction, engineering, and finance can provide technical expertise to evaluate government projects. Their knowledge ensures compliance with industry standards and helps detect overpricing, substandard materials, or contractual violations. Financial experts can analyze procurement processes to uncover collusion between contractors and public officials, ensuring the responsible use of public funds.

Second, businesses can contribute resources and logistical support to expand the CPA’s reach. Through corporate social responsibility programs, businesses can fund training for citizen auditors, provide auditing technologies, and cover operational expenses like transportation and lodging for audit teams. These contributions significantly enhance the CPA’s ability to monitor projects effectively.

Third, businesses can promote transparency through technology. Blockchain technology can track procurement processes, reducing opportunities for fraud, while public dashboards can provide real-time updates on audit findings, making information accessible to citizens and stakeholders. These tools strengthen transparency and accountability in government projects.

Finally, businesses can support ethical advocacy. Many organizations already champion good governance and anti-corruption initiatives. By collaborating with COA, businesses can promote transparency in public-private partnerships and government procurement processes. Advocacy campaigns led by business groups can also raise awareness about the CPA and encourage greater citizen participation in governance.

To formalize business participation, COA can establish MOAs with business associations and chambers of commerce. These agreements would outline roles for businesses, such as acting as independent validators or observers in audits of high-impact projects like flood control systems. Businesses can also join multi-stakeholder oversight committees, working alongside COA, civil society organizations, and citizen auditors to ensure public funds are used effectively and ethically.

Through collaboration, the CPA can address systemic corruption in flood control projects by auditing procurement processes to ensure fair competition, detecting collusion between contractors and lawmakers, and evaluating project delivery to confirm compliance with safety and quality standards. It can also use industry benchmarks to expose overpricing or substandard materials. By leveraging private sector expertise and resources, the CPA can ensure that public funds are directed toward projects that truly benefit citizens, rather than being lost to corruption.

Corruption in flood control projects underscores the need to strengthen this mechanism. Partnering with the business community leverages expertise and resources to address systemic issues, improve efficiency, and restore public trust. Together, COA, citizens, and businesses can ensure public projects achieve their goals—improving lives and fostering resilience.