Participatory budget approach being piloted in 6 government departments

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 24, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The participatory budget approach is being piloted in six government departments namely, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, and Department of Health.

Department of Budget and Management Region 8 Director Imelda C. Laceras disclosed this during the DSWD Region 8 60th Anniversary celebration on January 21, where she was the guest speaker.

Director Laceras said that the National Budget Call for 2012, the government is putting emphasis on strategies on transparency and accountability. The inclusion of the civil society organizations in the budget process is now being pursued by DBM to strengthen participatory budgeting at all levels.

Transparent government operations and greater public access to public information will allow the civil society organizations to monitor government spending and ensure accountability for every peso it spends.

The pilot agencies will be required to consult with interested CSOs and other stakeholders at the regional and central levels, Director Laceras said. The DBM Regional Office will spearhead the consultations anytime in February or March 2011.

“This is the first time that the participatory budget approach is being implemented,” Director Laceras said adding that this is being done to promote wider ownership for and monitoring of the government’s key public services.

The budget preparation for next year aims to strengthen the linkage between development planning and budgeting and increase the likelihood of accomplishing development goals by considering resource availability in the formulation of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and the Medium Term Public Investment Program (MTPIP) for 2011-2016

The National Budget Call for 2012 provides that the 2012 budget will focus on fighting corruption and promoting transparency, accountability and good governance; poverty reduction; ensuring sustained and inclusive economic growth; building a motivated, professional, energized bureaucracy; and encouraging integrated and safe communities and the sustainable use of resources for future generations.

Meanwhile, Director Laceras called on all the DSWD Region 8 personnel to continue joining hands in leading the way towards genuine transformation and social reforms.