Recognizing the vital contributions of public financial management (PFM) practitioners at the local level, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) honored 36 new resource persons (RPs) in Internal Control and Internal Audit from its regional offices during a recognition ceremony held on July 31, 2024. 

In her opening message, Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman emphasized the contributions of the new batch of RPs toward ensuring stronger accountability, efficiency, and good governance in the bureaucracy.  

"As stewards of public resources, we are tasked to maintain the achievement of our objectives. The pursuit of operational excellence is not merely a goal, but a necessity in a time marked by unprecedented changes and heightened public expectations," Sec. Pangandaman said. 

Aside from recognizing the new batch of RPs, the Recognition Program also aims to ensure that the RPs are qualified and competent to execute their responsibilities through proper training, coaching, and mentoring.  

The RPs who completed the first four phases of the Program will formally become members of the roster of recognized RPs on the National Guidelines on Internal Control Systems (NGICS) and Revised Philippine Government Internal Audit Manual (RPGIAM). They may also be tapped for the rollout of the Internal Audit Manual for Local Government Units (LGUs). 

The recognition of the additional 36 RPs brings the total number of the DBM’s recognized RPs from 38 to 74. 

Also present at the ceremony were Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer (VCEO) Alberto A. Bernardo of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), Undersecretaries Wilford Will L. Wong and Goddes Hope O. Libiran, and Assistant Secretary Leonido J. Pulido III.