As a continued effort to reach client-agencies, the Department of Budget and Management Regional Office XIII launched Hisgot-Bansay: Capability Building Course on Budgeting for DepEd Budget Officers, Accountants, and Bookkeepers. The course was conducted in partnership with the twelve (12) Schools Division Offices of DepEd in Caraga Region in five (5) batches; from June 16, 2022 to August 5, 2022.
The creation and deployment of various non-teaching positions tasked with bookkeeping and budgeting functions in the past two (2) years prompted the need to capacitate DepEd Finance personnel. Also, the "Hisgot-Bansay" initiative was launched to support the ongoing implementation of DBM RO XIII’s Project S.O.A.R. (Strengthening Operating Units through Accurate Reporting), which began in 2019.
The initiative is a combination of "Hisgot" (discussion) and "Bansay" (training) to provide better, more effective, and efficient technical assistance to DepEd operating units.
Over the years, DBM RO XIII’s strong coordination and partnership with DepEd Caraga through regular conduct of FDU meetings and technical assistance such as the Project S.O.A.R. has been instrumental in ensuring proper utilization of government funds as well as timely, prompt and accurate submission of budget execution documents and accountability reports considering DepEd's massive organizational set-up from the regional and divisional offices all the way down to the various secondary high school implementing units spread across the Region.
The course is an avenue to discuss DBM guidelines and train participants through work samples on the reconciliation of budgetary accounts and the preparation and submission of reports. The FY 2022 Hisgot-Bansay covered the following items:
a) Discussion on the guidelines on the release of funds pursuant to National Budget Circular No. 587 dated January 3, 2022 with emphasis on frontloading, modification and common fund system;
b) Discussion on the guidelines on various Personnel Services items specifically the following:
-
Terminal Leave Benefits and Monetization of Leave Credits;
-
Clothing/Uniform Allowance;
-
Midyear Bonus; and
-
Year-End Bonus and Cash Gift.
c) Walk through on the various DBM systems such URS, ADRS and ePSIPOP;
d) Workshop on the reconciliation process on budgetary accounts e.g. allotments, obligations and disbursements; and
e) Reiteration on the deadline of submission of reports and the documentary requirements of DBM key processes.
DBM personnel provided technical assistance through real time guidance and responses during the workshops and open forum.
The activity also highlighted the “Pasidungog 2021” - Recognition Program for S.O.A.R.ing Agencies that recognizes the efforts of agencies specifically DepEd operating units who submit complete, accurate, reliable and timely budget execution documents (BEDs) and budget and accountability reports (BFARs) in FY 2021. The program confers three levels of awards, to wit:
(1) Certificate of Appreciation is presented to Operating Units (OUs) who have consistently submitted the complete sets of BEDs and BFARs for the year.
(2) Certificate of Recognition is presented to OUs who have consistently submitted the complete sets of BEDs and BFARs for the year on or before the prescribed deadlines.
(3) Certificate of Commendation is presented to OUs who have consistently submitted the complete sets of BEDs and BFARs for the year on or before the prescribed deadlines, and which are accurate and reliable, as evaluated.
Sixty-four (64) of the 140 DepEd OUs in the Caraga Region met the requirements to qualify in the Recognition Program, and twelve (12) of those units received Certificates of Commendation, two (2) received Certificates of Recognition, and fifty (50) received Certificates of Appreciation.
Indeed, the participants' feedback on the entire activity was overwhelmingly positive. As a newly hired Bookkeeper, Ms. Anna Sharon Rosales of Prosperidad National High School said that the activity was very educational and beneficial to her work.
Participants even expressed their hopes and excitement for additional initiatives similar to the “Hisgot-Bansay”. Per Mr. Jhon Excell Sano, newly-designated Budget Officer of Las Nieves National High School "This activity helped me understand more and improve on my job performance".
About the Author:
Ms. Catherine G. Brizo is a Budget and Management Analyst and is a proud Dinagatnon who initiated the conduct of the donation drive to her hometown province, Dinagat Islands, during the height of Typhoon Odette. Aside from her spirit of volunteerism, she also gets excited on new adventures and travels, and adores cats and dogs a lot.
Download DBM RO XIII launches Hisgot-Bansay; Recognizes S.O.A.R.ing Agencies
