By: Zarah Leigh A. Ranile, SVBMS/OIC-CBMS
The DBM Regional Office VII in collaboration with the Association of Local Budget Officers in Central Visayas (ALBOCV), Inc. conducted a face-to-face refresher course on Public Financial Management (PFM) participated by the local government units (LGUs) in Region VII. Said activity was held in two (2) batches.
The first batch was held last July 19-21, 2022 for the LGUs of Bohol and Negros Oriental at Crown Regency Suites and Residences – Cebu while the second batch composed of LGUs from Cebu and Siquijor, completed the course last August 10-12, 2022 at Crown Regency Suites and Residences – Lapu-Lapu City. Both events were participated by more than 800 local officials, new and existing LGU PFM team members.
The refresher course, which was facilitated by the DBM ROVII personnel of the technical divisions, comprised of three (3) modules. It included a review in the understanding of the conceptual framework of PFM, conduct of PFM assessment using the LGU PFM Assessment Tool (PFMAT), discussion on the preparation of PFM reports, overview of the PFM system, walkthrough, system navigation, data management and analysis of the data results and a workshop session where participants were made to prepare PFM reports using a sample data provided.
While both batches had about the same session plans, the first batch took a re-orientation of the earlier version of the PFMAT. The second batch, however, was fortunately scheduled a little over a week after the issuance of Local Budget Circular No. 147 dated July 29, 2022 which prescribed the adoption of the enhanced PFMAT for LGUs and its electronic version, hence their session plan was updated to incorporate the latest guidelines.
In her opening remarks, DBM ROVII OIC-Regional Director Lenin S. Bernales emphasized the importance of an open and orderly PFM system, more so now that LGUs have been provided more resources with the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on Mandanas-Garcia petitions starting this year.
The three-day activity reacquainted LGUs on the rationale and benefits of conducting the PFM assessment and the significance of addressing PFM areas that require improvement and sustaining existing policies and strategies that are functioning and doing well. Select LGUs were also able to share their best PFM practices as part of the learning engagement of the said course.
In closing, OIC-Assistant Regional Director Maricor U. Baquial thanked the participants for their active involvement and encouraged all LGUs to continue their collaborative efforts in enhancing their respective PFM systems and unceasingly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their public service delivery for the benefit of their constituents.
1st batch – July 19-21, 2022 (Bohol and Negros Oriental LGUs)
2nd batch – August 10-12, 2022 (Cebu and Siquijor LGUs)
