The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it has lined up several initiatives aimed at achieving open government and ensuring fiscal transparency.
In a statement, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said she is supporting the promotion of open governance and fiscal transparency, which is in addition to the freedom of information (FOI) program.
FOI allows citizens to request information about government transactions and operations.
To support FOI, Pangandaman has identified other DBM initiatives to promote open governance and fiscal transparency.
These include the creation of the Fiscal Openness (FO) Working Group that leads the preparation and development of the ups Fiscal Openness Action Plan and monitors the country’s performance in the Open Budget Survey (OBS).
The agency has also operationalized the DBM Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Desk, which harnesses CSO participation by responding to requests for information and addressing budget-related queries.
"We have been doing our best to ensure that every allocation, decision, and program implementation involves public participation," Pangandaman said.
"Rest assured the DBM is one with you as you continue to implement and promote access to information mechanisms in the country,” she concluded.
Last March 16, Pangandaman spoke at the Freedom of Information (FOI) #InfoDataQuest Launch and Workshops, which featured learning sessions on fiscal transparency and basic data storytelling.
The event likewise provided participants with useful and practical knowledge of basic graphic design.
Also present at the #InfoDataQuest Launch and Workshops was DBM Assistant Secretary for Local Government and Regional Operations Group Rolando Toledo, who presented about the country's fiscal landscape.
He also discussed the DBM's role in ensuring fiscal transparency.
"The Philippines has been recognized as a global leader in fiscal transparency because of the increase in citizen's access to information and opportunities to participate in the budget process,” Toledo said.
"The ability to leverage on technology to improve availability and access to budget information by the public has allowed us to do this," he added.
Representatives from the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency, the Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP), and the Freedom of Information-Program Management Office (FOI-PMO) were also among the resource speakers.