The House of Representatives has assured civil society organizations participation in annual budget deliberations in Congress following the passage on third and final reading of the bill to pursue this purpose.

With 200 affirmative and six negative votes, the Lower House passed on final reading House bill No. 7407 entitled “An Act Institutionalizing the Participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Preparation and Authorization Process of the Annual National Budget, Providing Effective Mechanisms Therefore and for Other Purposes.”

San Jose del Monte City (Bulacan) Rep. Florida “Rida” P. Robes, principal author of the bill, said the measure will institutionalize people’s participation in the deliberations of the annual budget in Congress and in other government offices.

Robes, chairperson of the House Committee on People’s Participation, lauded the House leadership under Speaker Lord Allan Velasco for its strong support for the measure.

Robes said enactment of HB 7404 will help guarantee transparency in the budget process.

She stressed that the bill will play a crucial role in the budget deliberations of the General Appropriations bill in Congress as well as the budget preparation of other government offices with respect to giving people opportunity to influence government officials as to how the budget should be spent and to whom should it be given to.

“I am hopeful that the counterpart bill in Senate will get passed soon because it is the aim of the present administration to ensure transparency and accountability in the crafting of the annual budget,” said Robes.

The administration lawmaker said the bill will provide “a mechanism to make sure that people’s organizations participate in the budgeting process.

“This is a giant step towards ensuring that the budget we pass in Congress is not only transparent, accountable but also inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people,” she said.

Under the bill, civil society organizations that wish to participate in the budget preparation and deliberations will be given a chance to be accredited to take part in the process.

Once accredited, they will be given a right to participate in the budget preparation of government agencies, including constitutional bodies and government-owned and controlled corporations, similar to the rights accorded to NGOs in local development councils.

NGO’s will also be entitled to notices of hearings and receive budget documents as well submit their own alternative budget proposals or position papers. They shall also have the right to observe the budget deliberations including the bicameral conference committee meetings.

They shall also be allowed to participate as resource persons during budget deliberations in Congress.

Any government officer who restrains any CSO from participating in the process will be penalized with a suspension ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months or a fine of P30,000 to P100,000 or both.