Government consults civil society on 2013 budget

MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino administration is consulting with civil society organizations (CSOs) in crafting its 2013 national budget, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said yesterday.

The Budget department said there are now more government agencies and departments that would be consulting with civil society groups to discuss their planned projects for 2013.

The departments and agencies tasked to consult with civil society are the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, the Interior and Local Government, Justice, Labor and Employment, Tourism, and Transportation and Communication.

State-owned agencies that also need to consult with CSOs are the Land Rail Transit, National Electrification Administration and the National Irrigation Administration.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said that ample citizen participation would result in better governance.

“The Aquino government believes in creating ample space for citizen participation in governance so that the national budget can account for crucial, sector-focused needs. By gathering insights from CSOs and other people’s groups and involving them in the budget preparation process, the Administration will be better-positioned to ensure direct, immediate, and sustainable benefits for all Filipinos,” Abad said.

There are now 18 departments and agencies that need to consult with CSOs for their budget process.

Last year, the DBM piloted six pioneer departments for the creation of the 2012 General Appropriations Act.

These departments are the Education, Health, Social Welfare and Development, Public Works, and Agriculture and Agrarian Reform offices.

“Expanding the reach of our CSO engagement activities is part of the government’s commitment to the Open Government Partnership, of which the Philippines is an active member-country. In light of this, we’ve increased the number of departments and agencies tasked to engage in consultations with CSOs, both at the national and regional level,” Abad said.

Furthermore, Abad urged other departments and agencies to engage civil society groups. “This year’s budget is a product of consultations with CSOs, which proved to be very effective. It allowed the people — represented by civic groups — to air their concerns and suggestions on public expenditure and become active participants in the budget preparation process,” Abad said.