Senator Mark Villar warned against reports that some contractors may have submitted falsified geotagged photos of government projects to justify payments, calling it “outright fraud.”
Villar said he introduced mandatory geotagging during his time as DPWH secretary to ensure transparency, with photos required at every stage of a project to prove time and location.
“The whole purpose of mandatory geotagging was to make sure the government and the public could verify that work was actually being done where and when it was supposed to be. If contractors have found ways to cheat the system, that is an abuse of public trust and it must be investigated thoroughly,” according to him.
He stressed that submitting fake documentation, including tampered photos, is a clear act of fraud and should be met with heavy legal consequences.
Villar also urged agencies to hold erring contractors accountable and safeguard public funds.IMT
