Issue No. 39/October 2021
BY: NEUMAN M. GALLARDO, BMS I
Committed to its mandate towards a sound and strong Public Financial Management (PFM) as a springboard for improved public service delivery, DBM Ocho actively engages with the Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII in its Special and Sectoral Committee meetings.
DBM Ocho presides the first RegionalCommittee on Devolution (ComDev) Virtual Organizational Meeting
To formally operationalize the Eastern Visayas Regional ComDev, as a special committee of the RDC per Executive Order (EO) No. 138 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and provide guidance to the full devolution efforts in the region, an organizational meeting was organized by DBM Ocho as the Regional ComDev’s Secretariat last September 17, 2021 via Google Meet. It was presided by Regional Director Imelda Laceras Members of the Committee, namely, Agency Regional Offices (AROs) representatives, Local Chief Executives (LCEs) of Provinces and Cities, League of Municipalities and League of Barangays Provincial Chapter Presidents, and RDC 8 Development Administration Committee (DAC) Co-Chairperson attended the said event. In her message, RD Laceras conveyed that the creation of said Regional ComDev will ensure the smooth transition of the full devolution of certain executive functions from the National Government Agencies (NGAs) to the Local Government Units (LGUs) as mandated to be devolved under the Local Government Code, and the operationalization of EO 138 and its IRR.
Chief Budget and Management Specialist (CBMS) Juvy Lobedica discussed the bases for the creation, roles and functions of the Regional ComDev and updates on the implementation of EO 138. The guidelines on the preparation of LGU and NGA Devolution Transition Plans (DTPs) were given by Ms. Raida Cabahit of DILG 8 and OIC-Supervising BMS Absal N. Abah, respectively.
The inclusion of Private Sector Representatives, the NGA representatives, and Provincial Chapter Presidents of LGU Leagues as members of the Regional ComDev, and the creation of the ComDev’s Executive Committee were agreed upon for recommendation to the RDC Full Council meeting which is set on September 30, 2021.
Moreover, the proposed Regional ComDev FY 2021 Work Program, templates and forms summarizing the issues and concerns of the members which may be encountered during the transition to devolution were then presented to give guidance, along with the proposed activities of the ComDev for the 4th quarter. The meeting was concluded with a synthesis of the agreements by Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Aleli N. Hernandez. She gave a summary of the key points of the meeting and reminders on advisories for compliance by those concerned.
Engagement with RDC VIII Sectoral Committees
In the 2nd Quarter RDC 8 meeting, RD Laceras proposed for the creation of RDC 8 Task Force (TF) on the Review of Agency Budget Proposals for Priority PPAs in Eastern Visayas. This is to strengthen the AROs’ planning budgeting processes and ensure that only implementation-ready proposals are funded to lessen implementation issues. Said proposal was approved by the RDC.
Furthermore, DBM Ocho requested to be a member of all the Sectoral Committees of the RDC 8, as well as in the Development Administration Committee (DAC). Said request was made through a letter to the RDC 8 Secretariat, NEDA 8, on July 8, 2021.
Development Administration Committee meeting
As the newly re-appointed RDC 8 DAC Chairperson, RD Laceras presided the DAC meeting on September 16, 2021 via Zoom. Aside from tackling various concerns affecting the Region’s development, DBM Ocho also provided updates on the implementation of the EO 138 including the highlights of its IRR, guidelines on the preparation of the DTPs of LGUs and NGAs and the creation of the Regional ComDev.
Explanation on the decrease in the tentative National Tax Allotment (NTA) of almost all LGUs in Region 8 per Local Budget Memorandum 82-A was also discussed for various LGUs and relevant agencies. Said memorandum provides for the adjustment in the FY 2022 NTA Shares of LGUs due to the adoption of the latest 2020 Census of Population.
The draft RDC 8 Guidelines in the Review, Endorsement and Monitoring of agency budget proposals was presented by the RDC Secretariat. It contains, among others, the Planning-Budgeting calendar, the processes and functions of the RDC 8 TF for the Review of Agency Budget Proposals. Presentation was done to solicit comments and endorsement to the RDC Full Council.
Economic Development, Social Development, and Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee Meetings Aside from the agenda specific to the Economic, Social & IU Development Committees, DBM Ocho’s request for membership in the committees was also discussed in their September 9, 10, & 13, 2021 meetings. Said request was favorably approved in all of the said three committees. DBM Ocho also provided updates on EO 138 implementation. With all these noteworthy initiatives and endeavors, the men and women of DBM Ocho feel blessed to be part of the DBM institution as they strive to remain true to its mandates and commitments.
