DBM PRESS RELEASE
22 June 2023

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman welcomed the institutionalization of the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) through the issuance of Executive Order No. 31, saying this will ensure quality citizen engagement.

The Budget Secretary likewise expressed her sincerest gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for supporting DBM's advocacies that push for transparency

"I would like to sincerely thank our beloved President, President Bongbong Marcos for institutionalizing the PH-OGP. The issuance of E.O. 31 will guarantee strengthened public participation and allow quality citizen involvement and cooperation to be the norm. This will surely support our Agenda for Prosperity," Secretary Pangandaman said.

Executive Order No. 31, signed by the President on 20 June 2023, institutionalizes the PH-OGP as a multi-stakeholder partnership responsible for overseeing and implementing the country's commitment to the OGP.

Under the EO, the PH-OGP, through its Steering Committee, shall ensure open government values are embedded in government policies and programs.

The Steering Committee, a multi-stakeholder forum composed of representatives from the government and civil society organizations (CSOs) will serve as a policy and decision-making body for the PH-OGP.

"With an institutionalized PH-OGP, we will be able to further advance openness, transparency, and inclusivity in national and local governance processes. This will allow our people to participate, be heard, and be a part of the consensus-building that will propel our nation's growth," Secretary Pangandaman said.

“This strengthens our push for digital transformation and transparency. Through PH-OGP, we can ensure the establishment of reliable data systems that are responsive to the people's needs,” the DBM Secretary added.
 
To recall, in 1 June 2023, the President likewise signed EO 29, directing the full adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) in government agencies.

The IFMIS is a consolidated platform of digitalization used in public financial management (PFM) processes, which starts with budget preparation, execution, accounting, auditing to reporting. It aims to instill fiscal discipline, speed up government transactions, promote on time delivery and implementation of services, as well as better planning of government spending priorities.

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