Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah "Mina" Pangandaman was recognized by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) as one of its Distinguished Alumni during the 2025 UPAA Awards.

 

Sec. Mina – the youngest among this year’s awardees – was conferred with the UPAA Distinguished Alumni Award in Good Governance, along with other government officials and justices, in a ceremony on Saturday, 16 August 2025.

 

"Maraming maraming salamat sa aking alma mater at sa UP Alumni Association sa pagkilala. Gagawin ko po itong inspirasyon para lalo pang pagbutihin ang aking trabaho at isabuhay ang ating motto – “Honor, Excellence, Service.” Patuloy ko pong isasapuso at bibitbitin ang mga aral na natutunan ko sa UP sa pagtaguyod ng bawat desisyon, proyekto, programa at serbisyo para sa ating mga minamahal na kababayan – lagi't lagi para sa bayan," Sec. Mina said.

 

Of Maranao descent, Sec. Mina made history as the first Muslim woman to lead the DBM and remains the only female member of the Philippine Economic Team. She is also the first Cabinet member to hold the three-star general rank (Vice Admiral) in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.

 

She earned her undergraduate degree in Economics from Far Eastern University, followed by a Diploma and Master’s Degree in Development Economics from the University of the Philippines. She later pursued an Executive Master of Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

 

Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Sec. Mina has been at the forefront of advocating transparency in governance.

 

Under her stint, the DBM spearheaded the passage of the New Government Procurement Act, the institutionalization of the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) through Executive Order No. 31, and the implementation of the Public Financial Management Reforms Roadmap 2024–2028.

 

With Sec. Mina leading the DBM, the agency also completed the full adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information System and improved Program Convergence Budgeting. The DBM likewise reintroduced the Enhanced Agency Performance Review, the process to determine the level of performance of government agencies in terms of physical outcome and outputs, as well as actual expenditures incurred.

 

She also champions inclusive budgeting, ensuring that marginalized sectors, including women, youth, and Muslim communities, are considered in the National Budget.

 

She is also the founder of the “Dugtong Buhay Movement,” a blood donation drive organized in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

 

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