In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s vision of achieving open and good governance, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah "Mina" F. Pangandaman called on all open governance champions to safeguard democratic values to uplift the lives of the Filipino people as she led the opening ceremony of the 2025 Open Government Week on Monday, 19 May 2025.

 

"We must safeguard the values of democracy that embody the power of the people: freedom of speech, public participation, and equality, among others. And we must do this not only for our country but also as members of the community of nations, to be a shining example to those around the world who are still fighting for their voices to be heard and their rights to be recognized and respected," Sec. Mina, who also chairs the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), said.

 

In her opening message, Sec. Mina likewise mentioned several accomplishments and milestones toward realizing the open government agenda. These include the conduct of roundtable discussions with CSOs, the academe, and the private sector to advance the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill in the 20th Congress. She also highlighted the country's successful hosting of the East Asia and the Pacific International Public Procurement Conference in April. Sec. Mina also shared that the country submitted the highest number of entries in Asia and the Pacific for the Open Gov Challenge.

 

These key developments are part of the advocacies that the government is pushing, together with members of civil society, following the institutionalization of the PH-OGP through the issuance of Executive Order No. 31 signed by President Bongbong Marcos in June 2023. PH-OGP is a multi-stakeholder partnership responsible for overseeing and implementing the country's commitment to the OGP.

 

"It needs every government office – national or local – to view transparency, participation, and accountability, not as additional work, but as how government works. This is why Executive Order 31, institutionalizing OGP in the Philippines, is such an important step," OGP Regional Lead for Asia and the Pacific Ms. Swati Mehta noted.

 

"More than ever, we need local governance. We need champions of local governance," PH-OGP Steering Committee Member and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Juan Victor Remulla pointed out, stressing the clarion call of the people for open local and national governance.

 

"We need people like Ma'am Amenah, who [in] every single meeting champions 'Is it fair to the people? Is it right for the people? Is it good for the people?' We need champions for local governance. We need to open doors," Sec. Remulla continued.

 

The week-long celebration, which will run until May 23, involves a series of dynamic events, including forums, workshops, youth-led initiatives, and dialogues. It brings together key representatives from various government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, and the youth to advance the values of transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and innovation in governance.

 

One of the highlights of the first day of the Open Gov Week is also the conduct of the regional forum titled, “Engaging for Impact: Open Governance Partnership, Infinite Possibilities Bridging Possibilities,” organized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region XII, the DBM Region XII, and the Mahintana Foundation Inc.

 

The activity featured keynote messages and thematic lectures designed to challenge conventional approaches and highlight innovative strategies for transparent governance. Meanwhile, on the second day, the regional event will feature a symbolic mini caravan from DBM Region XII in Koronadal City to Tacurong City, celebrating the collective journey of the CSO and local government unit toward inclusive governance.