Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman expressed support for promoting open governance and fiscal transparency at the Freedom of Information (FOI) #InfoDataQuest Launch and Workshops on 16 March 2023.
The event featured learning sessions on fiscal transparency and basic data storytelling. It likewise provided participants with useful and practical knowledge of basic graphic design.
In her message, Secretary Pangandaman discussed several measures the DBM is carrying out.
"In addition to the FOI, we are implementing several initiatives to achieve an open government and ensure fiscal transparency. Currently, we lead the Philippine Open Government Partnership or the PH-OGP, the main consultation platform of the Participatory Governance Cluster (PGC) of the Cabinet that provides a platform for interface between the government and the citizens," Secretary Pangandaman said.
She added that the FOI program is a huge part of the PH-OGP’s success as it empowers citizens to request information about government transactions and operations.
Secretary Pangandaman also talked about other DBM initiatives to promote open governance and fiscal transparency. These include the creation of the Fiscal Openness (FO) Working Group that leads the preparation and development of the DBM Fiscal Openness Action Plan and monitors the country’s performance in the Open Budget Survey (OBS).
The agency has operationalized the DBM Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Desk, which harnesses CSO participation by responding to requests for information and addressing budget-related queries.
"We have been doing our best to ensure that every allocation, decision, and program implementation involves public participation," Secretary Pangandaman said.
"Rest assured the DBM is one with you as you continue to implement and promote access to information mechanisms in the country," the Budget Secretary concluded.
Also present at the #InfoDataQuest Launch and Workshops was DBM Assistant Secretary for Local Government and Regional Operations Group Rolando Toledo, who presented about the country's fiscal landscape. He also discussed the DBM's role in ensuring fiscal transparency.
"The Philippines has been recognized as a global leader in fiscal transparency because of the increase in citizen's access to information and opportunities to participate in the budget process. The ability to leverage on technology to improve availability and access to budget information by the public has allowed us to do this," Asec. Toledo said.
Representatives from the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency, the Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP), and the Freedom of Information-Program Management Office (FOI-PMO) were also among the resource speakers.
###
