The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), led by Secretary Amenah "Mina" F. Pangandaman, welcomed the ratification of the final version of the Government Optimization Bill, which seeks to empower the President to optimize the operations of government agencies.

 

"We are happy that the proposed bill is finally up for President Bongbong Marcos' signature. This Optimization Bill aims to help us create a more efficient and responsive government that will improve public service delivery. As it moves closer to becoming a law, rest assured that the DBM will continue to work closely with concerned agencies to ensure all preparations are in place for its smooth implementation," Sec. Mina said.

 

"The Government Optimization Act is one of the LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) priority measures under PBBM's administration, which, the President himself, mentioned in his first State of the Nation Address. Thus, we thank the leaders of both the Senate and House of Representatives, especially Senate President Chiz Escudero and Congressman Jonathan Keith Flores for the strong support and for defending the measure. They truly fulfilled their commitment to passing the bill before the 19th Congress adjourns," Sec Mina added.

 

The Bicameral Conference Committee on Wednesday, 04 June 2025, ratified the reconciled version of House Bill No.7240 and Senate Bill No. 890, formerly titled Rightsizing the National Government Act of 2022.

 

Prior to the ratification, a ceremonial signing of the bicam report on the Government Optimization Bill was held in the morning at the Senate, led by Senate President Chiz Escudero, together with Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito and Bukidnon 2nd District Representative Jonathan Keith Flores.

 

"Isa ito sa mga LEDAC identified measures na kailangang hinahabol naming ipasa. Inaasahan namin na ito'y mararatipikahan mamayang hapon ng kamara at ng senado para makabawas-bawas na kami doon sa listahan ng mga priority measures na kailangan naming habulin bago magtapos ang 19th congress," Sen. Escudero, principal author of the proposed measure, said during the ceremonial signing.

 

"Finally, after years of trying to pass this bill, now we're just one step closer for it to become a law. So, we're glad na natapos din ng Senate 'yung version nila and natapos na din 'yung bicam. So we're inching towards the finish line," Rep. Flores expressed.

 

As proposed in the bill, the President shall be given authority to optimize the operations of the departments/agencies of the Executive Branch, based on the results of the strategic review and study that will be conducted.

 

A Committee on Optimizing the Executive Branch shall be created to oversee the implementation of the Government Optimization Program. The Committee shall be composed of the Executive Secretary as the Chairperson; Secretary of the DBM as Co-Chairperson; Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning, Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Director-General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, and a government employee representative, as members.

 

The GOP mandatorily covers all agencies of the Executive Branch, which include departments, bureaus, offices, and all other entities attached to or under a department’s administrative supervision, and government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) not covered by RA No. 10149 or the GOCC Governance Act of 2011.

 

Teaching and teaching-related positions in elementary, secondary, technical/vocational schools, state universities and colleges, and non-chartered tertiary schools, and military and uniformed personnel are excluded from the Program's coverage.

 

Meanwhile, the Legislature, Judiciary, Constitutional Commissions, and Office of the Ombudsman may optimize their respective offices on an optional basis.

 

Similarly, local government units may optimize their respective offices, consistent with the principles and guidelines of the Program and the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991.

 

 

This was the statement today of Budget Secretary Amenah "Mina" Pangandaman, who is also the Chairperson of the Philippine Open Government Partnership (OGP) and a member of the global OGP Steering Committee, following the release on May 29, 2025 of Proclamation No. 916, which declares every third week of May as "Open Government Week".

 

"This further institutionalizes the Open Government Partnership," Sec. Mina Pangandaman noted. "It proves PBBM's strong commitment to strengthening democracy and establishing open, accountable, and participatory governance. Remember it was also PBBM who institutionalized the Philippine Open Government Partnership,” she added.  

 

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

 

Meanwhile, Proclamation No. 916 mandates the annual observance of Open Government Week in order to encourage collaboration between government agencies and civil society organizations towards creating policies aligned with the values and goals of Open Government. It also directs the DBM as Chair of the PH-OGP to lead the yearly observance and identify programs, activities, and projects for the celebration.

 

All agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are likewise directed, while all local government units, non-government organizations, as well as the private sector, are encouraged, to actively participate and render the necessary support and assistance to DBM for the effective implementation of the Proclamation.

 

"This shows the President's determination to apply a whole-of-society approach to having an open, transparent and accountable government," Sec. Mina added.

 

The Philippines is one of the founding members of OGP, a global movement that champions transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement through collaboration between the government and non-government stakeholders.

 

The PH-OGP successfully hosted OpenGovWeek 2025 last May 19-23, 2025 wherein the government and CSOs together pushed for an FOI law and the first ever economic dialogue between members of the Philippine economic teams and CSOs was held.