To my fellow public servants in the Department of Budget and Management—both from the Central and our Regional Offices—a pleasant day to all.

Let me begin by saying THANK YOU. Maraming salamat po sa inyong paglilingkod sa bayan at sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino. It is because of your invaluable contribution that the Budget Department has been able to exemplify reform-oriented public service. This is evident in the early submission and approval of the FY 2023 National Budget last December 16, 2022—historically the fastest signing of the General Appropriations Act.

I would also like to thank you for actively adopting our digitalization efforts in Public Financial Management or PFM. This initiative goes beyond reduction or lower operational costs. Through this, we are able to forward digital transformation in the bureaucracy and show that it is possible to integrate technology into our systems and processes—to ultimately promote transparency and enhance productivity.

We also have a lineup of significant reforms with the end-goal of ensuring the equitable, prudent, transparent, and accountable allocation and use of public funds to improve the quality of life of each and every Filipino.

First is the Progressive Budgeting for Better and Modernized Governance or the PBBM Governance Bill that will institutionalize the Cash Budgeting System or CBS. A shorter transitional arrangement is being proposed for FY 2023. To fully reap the benefits of the system and engender fiscal discipline and strategic planning among all government agencies, we hope to have the regional offices onboard.

We will also fast-track the development and implementation of the Budget and Treasury Management System or BTMS to improve convenience, efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness in fiscal management and reporting.

Last December 19, the Public Financial Management Committee composed of the DBM, the Department of Finance (DOF), the Commission on Audit (COA), and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) approved the adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information Systems or IFMIS to enhance the BTMS.

At the local level, we are proposing an amendment to the EO on full devolution. That is why as early as now, I want to seek your help in monitoring and capacitating our local government units as LGUs transition and assume their devolved functions. As I’ve always said, our economic transformation agenda will not be truly inclusive without our local governments.

The bulk of this meeting’s agenda is aimed at capacitating our LGUs to better implement programs and interventions that are tailor-fit to the needs of their constituents. This includes the updated Budget Operations Manual for LGUs, the electronic Competency Assessment Tool for Local Budget Officers, and the Public Financial Management Assessment Tool for LGUs.

Sama-sama po nating isulong at ipatupad ang lahat ng ito. It is only when we discuss our ideas, align our national and regional goals, and synergize our efforts that we can implement these harmoniously.

Of course, we will continue to give our best in crafting a budget that serves all Filipinos, especially the vulnerable sectors. We will work closely with other government agencies and partners to ensure that we are prioritizing the pressing needs of our people. And at the end of the day, we will strive for accountability and transparency in our budget.

With the help of the Philippine Open Government Partnership, Freedom of Information, and Open Budget Survey, among others, we will increase public trust in the department and in government as a whole.

Muli, maraming salamat po sa inyong paglilingkod. Let us continue working together so we can move closer to our ultimate goal of ensuring that our Agenda for Prosperity will include every individual, family, and sector in the country.

Assalamu alaikum. Mabuhay tayong lahat.