CLOSING MESSAGE
Public Financial Management Competency Program
in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

To the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim;

Ministry of Finance, and Budget and Management Minister Atty. Ubaida C. Pacasem;

Bangsamoro Treasurer Naila Z. Dimaraw;

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Representative Ide Soichiro;

Colleagues from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM);

And to our Public Financial Management (PFM) practitioners in BARMM Provincial Offices and all our participants, magandang araw po.

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Since 2018, the DBM, together with the Ministry of Finance and Budget and Management of BARMM, also in cooperation with JICA, has been implementing major capacity-building activities to help and guide the Bangsamoro Government in establishing a sound PFM system—the fundamental foundation for good governance, financial accountability, and effective resource management.

In recognition of the bond we have built through friendship and partnership, and in the interest of pursuing economic development in Mindanao, especially BARMM, we are here once again to conduct another round of capacity-building training for our provincial offices.

We are more than happy to help in ensuring continued skills development among our PFM practitioners towards our common goal: formulating and implementing a dynamic fiscal policy towards the upliftment of the lives of the Bangsamoro.

For the past few days, our top-caliber subject matter experts walked you through the PFM fundamentals and introduced you to the Budgeting and Performance Track modules including fiscal planning, performance-informed budgeting,  program expenditure classification, and budget preparation.

But this is just the first phase. We hope to see you again for the Phase 2 of our program which will cover budget execution, developments in budgeting, and internal audit—all towards our goal of elevating fiscal management capabilities within BARMM's provincial offices, improving efficiency and instilling transparency and accountability in budgetary processes across the region.

I have always shared with you my dream as a daughter of Mindanao: to see a BARMM that is thriving and a Mindanao that shines as a land of promise. And now, with this strong collaboration between the national government, BARMM, and JICA, we are starting to reap the fruits of our labor.

Just recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), through its Fiscal Division, commended the Philippines for proactively improving its PFM systems through digital transformation. This was during one of the sessions of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting held in Marrakesh, Morocco, in October.

Most notable was the fact that last June, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 29 directing the full digitalization of PFM processes through the adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) throughout the bureaucracy. Rest assured that we are very much willing to assist BARMM in also leveraging digitalization so that together, we can take our PFM processes to the next level. 

Now on the national budget, we have also fully released the FY 2023 Annual Block Grant to assist BARMM in achieving meaningful autonomy and lasting peace in the region. On top of this, we have also released Php 5.0 billion to fund the rehabilitation of conflict-ridden communities.^[1]

We are also proud to share that the House of Representatives approved the Fiscal Year 2024 General Appropriations Bill on third and final reading last September 27, wherein a total of Php 80.6 billion is allocated for financial assistance to BARMM. This includes the Annual Block Grant with Php 70.5 billion, reflecting an increase of 9.0 percent from 2023. Meanwhile, Php 5.3 billion has been allotted for the PAMANA or the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Program for infrastructure development in BARMM. This will be implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.

And all of these would not be possible without our PFM practitioners who play a crucial role in bridging the needs of our people to our governments, making our PFM system more responsive and people-centered.

Through this capacity building, I hope that you will be inspired not only to work harder but also to embrace innovations through digital transformation, and help us implement the necessary reforms that will improve our government systems and processes.

After all, we have the same Agenda for Prosperity. Together, let us secure a Future-Proof and Sustainable Economy where no Filipino is left behind, including and most importantly, the Bangsamoro.

Mabuhay ang Pilipino at ang Bagong Pilipinas. Maraming salamat po!

Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

^[1] https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/barmm-secures-p5b-fund-from-dbm-for-rehabilitating-conflict-ridden-areas-including-marawi/

 

KEYNOTE MESSAGE 
PS-DBM 45th Founding Anniversary
Philippine International Convention Center

 

My warmest greetings and congratulations to our dear colleagues and fellow public servants from the Procurement Service - Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM)!

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

I am very honored and delighted to join you in the celebration of your 45th founding anniversary and to personally greet and congratulate you—our trusted agents in acquiring quality government requirements efficiently and economically.

As you know, I have always expressed my full support for the PS-DBM and its vision to be THE trusted and preferred procurement partner of the public sector in the Philippines.

Just a little over a year into my stint as DBM Secretary, and I am proud to have already witnessed how the PS-DBM, under the able leadership of Executive Director Atty. Dennis S. Santiago, has gone above and beyond in carrying out its mission.

More than procuring quality government requirements from reputable sources, PS-DBM has worked hard to reinstall integrity, fairness, and transparency in the procurement process.

A testament to this is the collaboration project between the PS-DBM and WeSolve Foundation, Inc. which was selected as one of the ten outstanding teams in the 2023 Impact Accelerator Program Lift of the Open Contracting Partnership. The Lift Impact Accelerator aims to support teams and reform procurement through better data, open and participatory processes, and technical and financial assistance. So congratulations—and I am certain that you will maximize this grant to further increase transparency and accountability in government purchases to ultimately improve value for taxpayers’ money.

And this is very timely, as we continue to push for the enactment of a stronger Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA)—one that is more attuned to the changing times and responsive to the evolving needs of our people.

During the International Monetary Fund Article IV Consultation held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last October 2023, the IMF recognized the pivotal initiatives we have undertaken in order to further enhance the legal and institutional framework for transparent and competitive public procurement.

The IMF specifically mentioned the implementation of the modernized Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (mPhilGEPS) and the adoption of the Green Public Procurement Strategy as structural reforms geared towards the long-term growth of the Philippine economy.

In line with our bureaucratic efficiency and digital transformation agenda, we will leverage the adoption of digitalization and innovation. Alongside the modernization of PhilGEPS, we will soon have an electronic or e-marketplace which we will expand to not just common-use supplies but also non-common-use supplies.

And because sustainability is one of our most important advocacies, we will adopt a Green Public Procurement Strategy to procure goods, infrastructure projects, and even consulting services with reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle. We will also integrate green practices and environmentally relevant criteria in the procurement design of a project.

Thankfully, our efforts at reforming the procurement system have the support of no less than our very own President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

And as the GPRA has been earmarked as a priority legislation following our presentation to the President and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), ED Dennis wasted no time and already presented our proposed amendments to the 20-year-old GPRA not only to the House of Representatives but also to the Senate of the Philippines.

These are just a few of the reasons why I am proud to share with the world how we have significantly advanced open contracting reforms, especially our efforts at improving transparency in government procurement.

During the Open Government Global Summit in Tallinn, Estonia, I shared how we have already made significant improvements in our procurement system through alignment with national development goals, strong political will, and collective action. I look forward to presenting to them at our next summit the amended GPRA that will have participatory procurement as one of its pillars.

All of these—and more—would not be possible without your contributions. Maraming salamat po sa inyong paglilingkod sa bayan at sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino. It is because of your invaluable contribution that the PS-DBM has been able to exemplify reform-oriented procurement and public service for the past 45 years.

Moving forward, let us work together—as one PS-DBM—for the creation of a public procurement system that is truly inclusive, sustainable, reliable, and transparent—one that is world-class, and one that we can proudly put at the heart of delivering public services.

Thank you again for your service and congratulations on your founding anniversary! Mabuhay ang PS-DBM!

Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

 

 

 

To First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos;

Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Executive Director Dr. Edward L. Fereira; our esteemed colleagues and partners; to all of our valued patrons; and especially to our most valued Small and Medium Enterprises to whom we owe this special event, good evening and welcome to Pagsibol 2023!

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Before anything else, I would like to thank CITEM for this opportunity to join the design community in highlighting the importance of investing in the creative industries, most especially in promoting Filipino Design Excellence. As an advocate of Philippine culture and the arts, I am truly honored to deliver this keynote address and take part in the second-longest-running trade show in Asia for quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products. 

The importance of this event is underscored by the fact that no less than our First Lady, Ma’am Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos has graced us with her most esteemed presence. We are lucky to have a First Lady who is an advocate of Filipino culture and heritage preservation, a champion of local fashion and Filipino designers—as seen in the very successful Goldenberg Fashion series, among other projects—and a staunch supporter of local artisans such as our Ilocano weavers.

And her presence here tonight is confirmation of the support of our President, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.—PBBM himself—who recognizes that strategic investment decisions play a crucial role in building a robust and thriving economy. As he has stated in the 2023 National MSME Summit: “If we want to truly transform the Philippine economy and society, we must not only take care of our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), but also make sure that they are able to grow, flourish, and compete globally.” 

Therefore, it is only logical that we must invest in MSMEs—the backbone of our economy—accounting for 99.59 percent of all our businesses in the country and generating nearly 5.6 million jobs. 

One way to accomplish this is to assist MSMEs in their journey to becoming competitive and export-ready. With this, I am proud to share that the Tatak Pinoy or the Proudly Filipino Bill, laid out by our President as one of the Administration’s legislative priorities, has already been approved on second reading by the Senate. The Bill, sponsored by Senator Sonny Angara, aims to make Filipino products and services globally competitive by empowering our domestic entrepreneurs, particularly our MSMEs.

As one of the key industries identified in the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023 to 2028, strengthening the design sector is one of our foremost priorities. 

According to the PEDP 2023 to 2028, we should intensify our trade promotion, marketing, and design innovation to create a unified country and sectoral branding. And I believe this is where we can all work together to achieve favorable results. Hence, in support of the growth of MSMEs, the National Government has allocated Php 784 million for the MSME Development Program of the DTI. Of this amount, some Php 100.00 million will go to the Digitalization Program of MSMEs. This will be complemented by locally-funded projects such as the establishment of Negosyo Centers, the One Town, One Product: Next Generation Project, and the Shared Service Facilities Project.

With your unwavering support and through the very able governance of our colleagues at DTI-CITEM, led by Director Fereira, I am confident that this budget allocation will be used to capacitate and empower our MSMEs toward a more design-conscious and competitive future. And so, I enjoin everyone here tonight to continue working together to support MSMEs and elevate our design industry as this will ultimately bolster the Philippine economy and help us achieve our Agenda for Prosperity.

Tonight's event showcases just how vibrant our creative sector is. From the honorees for design excellence to the performances, and the works of art that we will see tonight, I hope that everyone here will gain a deeper appreciation of what we are investing in and make us Feel What’s Possible—as the theme of this event suggests.

Magtulungan po tayong maiangat ang ating mga designer, ang ating mga entrepreneur, at ang ating mga MSME dahil ang inyong tagumpay ang siyang magiging simbolo ng Pagsibol ng ating Bagong Pilipinas. 

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay po tayong lahat!

To Executive Director Atty. Dennis S. Santiago and the whole PS-DBM community, a pleasant day to all.

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

I am delighted to join you today for the 15th Annual Depot Assessment of the Procurement Service - Department of Budget and Management. Thank you for inviting me to be part of this special gathering of our Regional Directors, who also serve as Supervisors of our PS-DBM Depots in the regions.

As you may already know, PS-DBM extends its service delivery to its network of Regional and LGU Depots that span across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The coordination between and among these Depot Offices requires high-level logistics planning and supply chain management.

As such, the role of our Regional Depot Supervisors is crucial in ensuring that our stocks are able to reach even the remotest of places—equipping our fellow civil servants from the regions with supplies that allow them to perform their duties and serve the people more efficiently and effectively. 

Today’s program will have you look back on your journey in the previous years, so you can plan for the next. And in the process of doing so, I hope that you will gain a better understanding of PS-DBM’s thrust, that is, to be able to deliver quality and dependable common-use supplies and equipment from the right source, at the right price, with the right quantity, and at the right time.

And today’s gathering, leading to the celebration of PS-DBM’s 45th Anniversary, couldn’t have been more timely as we continue to push for the enactment of a stronger Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA)—one that is more attuned to the changing times and responsive to the evolving needs of our people.

The DBM, GPPB, and PS-DBM, led by our very own ED Dennis Santiago presented our proposed GPRA amendments during the Public Hearing at the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives. This is following our presentation to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Meeting led by no less than our president, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last September 20. In fact, it was one of the priority bills included in the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) of the 19th Congress to further advance the attainment of our social and economic transformation agenda.

And all of you are instrumental in the realization of this vision of taking our public procurement system to the next level. As you gather here today for the 15th Annual Depot Assessment, I want you to take pride in your contributions to the overall operational success of the agency. Moving forward, let us work together—as one PS-DBM—for the creation of a public procurement system that is truly inclusive, sustainable, reliable, and transparent—one that is world-class, and one that we can proudly put at the heart of delivering public services.

Thank you again for your service and congratulations. Mabuhay ang PS-DBM!

Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

 

END