BAFE and DBM Strengthen Partnership on Digital Transparency Through Dime Initiative

Quezon City — The Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) of the Department of Agriculture met with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to discuss possible collaboration on the Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation (DIME) Initiative—a government-wide digital platform that promotes transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement through open data and real-time project monitoring.

Representatives from DBM’s DIME Unit, led by Mr. Kenneth Chuacon, presented the evolution and features of the DIME platform. First introduced in 2015 as a World Bank-supported project, DIME has since expanded into a national initiative under the Open Government Partnership (OGP). It allows the public to track the progress of government infrastructure projects through interactive maps, satellite imagery, and up-to-date reports, making information more accessible and verifiable.

In her welcome message, BAFE Director Engr. Cristy Cecilia P. Polido underscored the importance of digital collaboration in ensuring transparency and efficiency in public service.

“We welcome this initiative from DBM because it supports our shared goal of making government data more transparent, improving coordination, and maximizing resources for the benefit of our farmers and fisherfolk,” she said.

BAFE officials also shared an overview of the bureau’s digital systems—the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS) and GEOAGRI—which support data-driven planning, monitoring, and reporting of agri-fisheries infrastructure projects nationwide. The bureau emphasized its readiness to explore data sharing, system integration, and the use of satellite imagery to improve the accuracy and timeliness of project updates.

DBM’s presentation highlighted DIME’s key features, including integrated mapping tools, public feedback mechanisms, and API connectivity that allow agencies to link their systems seamlessly. The initiative’s aim is to establish a single, unified data source for all government infrastructure projects to reduce redundancy and strengthen coordination among agencies.

Both BAFE and DBM expressed their commitment to continue working together in the coming months to align digital platforms and enhance transparency mechanisms in the agri-fisheries sector. This collaboration reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to modernize project monitoring and ensure that every infrastructure investment delivers tangible benefits to local communities. ###BAFE-ICS