DBM PRESS RELEASE
More than 300 local budget officers and PFM practitioners from Region I were given training on Budgeting, Internal Audit, and Procurement by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) from November 8 to 10, 2023 under its Public Financial Management Competency Program (PFMCP) for Local Government Units.
This is in line with the commitment of the DBM to promote efficient PFM in the country, and ultimately, sound fiscal management, in line with the 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda and the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028.
DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman gave the keynote message and assured the participants, “Makakaasa po kayong mas pagbubutihin pa po namin sa DBM at pagsusumikapan namin na masiguro na ang National Budget ay tunay na para sa Pilipino at para patuloy po kaming makapaghatid hindi lamang ng capacity-building at assistance sa inyong lahat kundi maihatid sa lalong madaling panahon ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan.”
The Budget Secretary also shared that she greatly values capacity development and upskilling of PFM practitioners. Hence, she added that since she assumed her position, it has been her directive to DBM senior officials, in collaboration with local budget officers, to ensure the continuous provision of capacity-building training and assistance not only on budgeting but also on managing the budget wisely.
She likewise emphasized the crucial role of local planning and budgeting officers in significantly improving and better-than-expected economic performance of the country: “We are happy to note po that from 4.3 percent, umunlad po ang ekonomiya natin to 5.9 percent. Hindi lang po iyan dahil sa National Government. Kasama po diyan ang ambag ng ating Local Government Units at lahat ng ating mga kababayan para mapaunlad ang ating bansa.”
Secretary Pangandaman was warmly welcomed by Pangasinan Provincial Governor Ramon V. Guico III, City of Dagupan Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, and Association of Local Budget Administrators in Region I (ALBA)-I, Inc. President Gilbert P. Botardo.
Also present at the event were DBM Undersecretaries Wilford Will L. Wong and Goddes Hope O. Libiran; PS-DBM Executive Director Atty. Dennis S. Santiago; Government Procurement and Policy Board - Technical Support Office Executive Director Atty. Rowena Candice M. Ruiz; Systems and Productivity Improvement Bureau Director John Aries S. Macaspac; Local Government and Regional Coordination Bureau (LGRCB) Director Ryan S. Lita; and DBM Regional Office I Director Ria V. Bansigan.
The PFMCP was conducted by the DBM Advocacy, Communications, and Training Service - Capacity Development Division (ACTS-CDD), the LGRCB, and the DBM Regional Offices.
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