Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-STC
TAGUIG CITY — The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) serves as the central agency in the formulation of policies, plans, and programs, as well as in the implementation of strategies in the industry, energy, and emerging technology sectors through several S&T programs.
Project DIME (Digital Imaging for Monitoring and Evaluation)
Project DIME is a collaboration between the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the DOST, formalized through a 2017 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
More than innovation, Project DIME is a governance reform initiative that links scientific evidence with budgetary accountability.
- Uses digital imaging technologies (LiDAR, satellite imagery, drones) to monitor high-value government projects.
- Aims to ensure effective use of public funds by providing photographic and geospatial proof of project accomplishments.
With technologies available through DOST and other partner agencies, including satellite imagery from the Philippine Earth Data Resource and Observation (PEDRO) Center of DOST-ASTI and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data from the Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) program and Phil-LiDAR program of PCIEERD, monitoring and evaluation in far-flung areas, where in-person inspections are challenging, HAVE BECOME POSSIBLE.
Impact of Project DIME:
- Shifted government monitoring and evaluation from paper-based to science-based validation.
- Enabled evidence-based policy and budgeting.
- Fostered a culture of innovation and accountability in public sector governance.
Flagship DIME Projects funded by DOST-PCIEERD
Out of the 13 high-value government projects identified by DBM for 2018 funding, two were formally projectized as pilot R&D initiatives under PCIEERD through Project DIME:
- DIME Project 1 – Monitoring and Assessment of Planting Activities and other Applications (MAPA2)
- Project Leader: Engr. Czar Jakiri S. Sarmiento – UP Diliman Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry
Funding: Php10,171,821.00
MAPA2 was conceptualized to support the monitoring of the government’s flagship reforestation initiative, the National Greening Program (NGP), as traditional field verification methods would require extensive manpower and financial resources.
MAPA2 was also used in the assessment of post-siege damage in Marawi City using satellite and LiDAR data, where they categorized 3,261 damaged buildings (3,132 residential) with an estimated damaged cost of Php4.01 billion.
DIME Project 2 – Remote Assessment for Irrigation Networks (RAIN)
Project Leader: Dr. Mark Edwin A. Tupas – UP Diliman Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry.
Funding: P5,081,680.76
RAIN was conceptualized to address one of the Philippine government’s largest investment areas in agriculture — irrigation, with Php32 billion budget, including Php25.7 billion in operating expenses and a Php40.3 billion capital outlay in 2015.
Governance Value
Through Project DIME, DBM gains independent, science-based evidence to assess the progress of high-value government projects. Findings allow DBM to recommend whether project activities should be IMPROVED, ADJUSTED, or in some cases, SUSPENDED.
This ensures that every peso of public funds is properly accounted for and delivers real benefits to citizens, reinforcing the principle of ACCOUNTABILITY through SCIENCE. (/)