To our partners and colleagues from the Office of the President, the Department of Finance, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Bureau of the Treasury, the Commission on Audit, the Department of Budget and Management, and the World Bank Philippines, a pleasant morning.
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
First of all, allow me to thank the World Bank Group for bringing together the oversight agencies to discuss current policies and developments in the processing of Foreign Assisted Projects (FAPs).
We are all set for a two-day knowledge-sharing session with our excellent subject matter experts who will share with us the intricacies of FAPs. I am hopeful that you will have productive discussions to facilitate alignment and common understanding of the existing FAPs policies and processes, and leverage on it as an opportunity for the identification and assessment of any policy gaps in the existing guidelines.
Thus, it is imperative for everyone to work towards harmonization and alignment between concerned government agencies and development partners. The knowledge sharing for the next two days aims to provide an effective platform where our oversight agencies involved on the FAPs processes can share and provide updates on existing processes and practices that have been developed over the years. This will be an important building block, not only for the orientation program on FAPs to be organized for our implementing agencies, but also on the subsequent conversations among oversight agencies aimed towards streamlining and addressing identified gaps. I was informed that a similar undertaking was done, also in partnership with the World Bank, although already over ten years ago.
I urge everyone to commit to generous listening, mutual contemplation of different viewpoints, and respectful responses. Our goal is to break out of our silos and reach collaborative moments where no one clings to their own ideas indefinitely.
Of course, FAP-related decisions involve deliberations and analysis of context and implications which all require knowledge and understanding of the policies and procedures relative to evaluation, financing, procurement, disbursement, budgeting, accounting, auditing, and monitoring. Equally important is our awareness of the economic, financial, and fiscal impacts of the timely implementation of FAPs.
With our processes harmonized—clear knowledge followed by firm actions—we are sure to move one step closer to the achievement of our Agenda for Prosperity and the realization of our goal of economic transformation that is truly inclusive and sustainable.
On our end at the DBM, rest assured that we are always ready and committed to ensuring a stronger and smoother implementation of FAPs in the government. Through the help of our staunch partners such as the World Bank and other oversight agencies, let us continue to do better in order to realize the best for every Filipino, our country, and the world.
Magkaisa po tayo, at sama-sama nating kamtin ang tagumpay para sa ating kapwa Pilipino at para sa bayan.
Nawa'y magbunga hindi lamang ng kaalaman kundi ng kabayanihan ang inyong mga pag-aaral at talakayan.
Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
Maraming salamat po.
