Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya said yesterday the city government will create QR (quick response) codes for all its infrastructure projects for easy online monitoring of work progress.

“I have urged the Management Information Technology and Computer Services to have the system operational as soon as possible, and they have committed to having it up and running within two weeks,” Gasataya said in a statement.

The directive is based on Executive Order No. 39, “requiring the positioning of QR codes in all city government projects and providing for an online progress monitoring system.”

He said the move is aimed at full transparency, accountability and good governance, noting that city government projects are built with the people’s taxes and sacrifices.

“I believe transparency isn’t a favor to the public. It’s a debt we owe to every Bacolodnon who works hard to contribute to building our city,” he said.

Several ongoing major infrastructure projects here are funded under the P4.4-billion loan package obtained by the city government from the Development Bank of the Philippines last year.

Among these are the construction/improvement of the old City Hall and City Health complex, as well as the construction of the legislative building and recovery and recycling complex, and ecopark.

“With a single scan of a QR code, any Bacolodnon can see what’s being built, how much it costs, who’s doing the work — both contractor and project engineer — and when it will be done,” the mayor said.

Gasataya said the online progress monitoring system will also include a platform for citizens to send complaints, concerns and feedback regarding the projects for the city to act on these immediately.

“Through this, our city is finally modeling the future of open governance — commitment to transparency through action, transparency without compromise, and made convenient in the palms of our hands,” he added. (PNA)