The World Bank (WB) has given a “Moderately Satisfactory” rating to the Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project (PDIP), as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) works through procurement requirements for its first project financed by the multilateral lender.
The project has an approved cost of about $288.88 million, consisting of $287.24 million in World financing and $1.64 million in Philippine government counterpart funding.
It is intended to support connectivity, cybersecurity, and related digital infrastructure initiatives and is scheduled for completion in 2028.
The DICT said prospective bidders were still adjusting to the World Bank’s qualification and technical requirements, which must also account for conditions in the Philippine market.
Procurement is being conducted through an international competitive process that requires prescribed posting, evaluation, review and clearance periods, as well as governance and due diligence procedures.
The agency said it was adapting its internal systems and procedures to comply with the World Bank’s procurement regulations, with guidance from the lender. Procurement and the project’s connectivity, cybersecurity and safeguards components are moving forward, it added.
Former DICT undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy, who oversaw the program while he was with the agency, said the rating showed that the project was progressing but also pointed to areas requiring improvement, particularly procurement efficiency.
“A ‘Moderately Satisfactory’ rating by the World Bank on project implementation is good, but it reveals there are areas for improvement. DICT just needs to adjust its project management to meet the World Bank recommendations,” Dy said.
“I think some key improvements are needed on the efficiency of procurement. We need to be reminded that apart from the loan’s interest cost, there is a commitment cost for undisbursed programmed cash allotments by the lender. So, there is a cost of money for delayed procurements,” he added.
Dy also called for close monitoring of the project’s design and implementation to ensure that its targets are met.
“But overall, I would say we are happy it is progressing because the country really needs digital connectivity that is affordable and always accessible,” he said.
