Philippines Considers Law to Prevent Infrastructure Corruption

Senators in the Philippines are advancing a proposed law, the Master Plan for Infrastructure and National Development (MIND) Act, aimed at curbing corruption and improving long-term planning for infrastructure projects. The bill seeks to establish a continuing, comprehensive infrastructure master plan to guide government spending and prevent funds from being allocated to poorly planned or unnecessary projects.

Currently, the Philippines lags behind neighbors like Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia in transport infrastructure due to a lack of sustained planning, with some senators noting the country once rivaled Japan in development. A key issue is the tendency for new administrations to abandon projects started by their predecessors, creating a “back-to-zero” culture.

The Senate committee will now form a technical working group to address concerns about overlaps with existing planning bodies, the feasibility of a 30-year plan, and coordination with local governments. The committee hopes the MIND Act will institutionalize strategic infrastructure projects and protect them from political disruptions.