Capitol forms financial management team

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has created a Public Financial Management (PFM) Team aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability in government operations.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro issued Executive Order No. 25, Series of 2026, establishing the team as the province’s primary body tasked to coordinate financial management reforms. The EO took effect on April 30, 2026, immediately upon issuance.

Under the order, the PFM Team will oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of fiscal reforms across Capitol offices.

The move comes amid efforts to align the province with national standards on budgeting, reporting, and financial governance.

The EO cited the need to comply with Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which mandates efficient and effective fiscal management among local government units.

It also referenced directives from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), particularly the Public Financial Management Reforms Roadmap for 2024 to 2028.

In addition, the DBM, through Regional Advisory No. 2026-9, has required local governments to submit key financial reports, including the Enhanced Public Financial Management Assessment Tool (ePFMAT), PFM Assessment Report (PFMAR), and PFM Improvement Plan (PFMIP).

The newly formed team will be led by Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Joseph Empaces as chairperson. Members include representatives from the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO), Provincial Budget Office (PBO), Provincial Accounting Office (PAO), Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), and the Provincial Administrator’s Office (PAO).

The PBO will serve as the secretariat, providing administrative and technical support to the team.

The PFM Team is also authorized to tap other offices, technical experts, and partner agencies when necessary.

Among its key functions is ensuring the timely preparation and submission of required financial reports to national agencies.

It is likewise mandated to develop and implement reforms aligned with national policies, while institutionalizing best practices in budgeting, accounting, procurement, treasury, and auditing.

"Provide technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives for provincial offices and component LGUs; Coordinate with national agencies such as DBM, COA, and DILG for training and technical guidance," part of the EO reads.

The team will also integrate financial management reforms into provincial development plans and investment programming.

Part of its role includes providing technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives to provincial offices and component local government units.

Additionally, it will establish performance indicators and monitoring systems to evaluate fiscal performance and recommend policy improvements.

Another priority is the promotion of digital financial management systems and the strengthening of transparency mechanisms, including public reporting.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano said the creation of the team addresses long-standing gaps in compliance with national reporting requirements.

“It is always cited sa mga COA observation reports nga ang provincial government has not been complying with DBM reportorial requirements,” Durano said.

He noted that such gaps have affected the province’s ability to access funding from the national government.

“So we really need to tap the national government… one constraint gyud is kaning mga required nga reportorial requirements,” he added.

Durano explained that the team will help rebuild the capacity of key departments, including the treasurer’s, budget, and accounting offices, to meet these standards.

“The fastest way to bring that capacity back is to create a team tutukan na, tabangan na ang mga departments aron we can comply,” he said.

He clarified that the PFM body is not a new office but a support mechanism for existing departments handling financial processes.

“It’s not an office, it’s just really a team… they just really need support,” Durano said.

The end goal, according to him, is to restore efficiency and ensure that departments can independently comply with reporting requirements once capacity is regained.

Durano also pointed out that improved compliance will enable Cebu to access more national funding, especially in the wake of recent calamities.

He revealed that the province had already received P720 million from national programs, including allocations for rice subsidy and infrastructure.

“That’s almost 50 percent of your development fund… dako gyud kaayo na sya og ikapuno,” he said, stressing the importance of tapping external resources.

He added that the province’s 2026 budget is based on a projected revenue of around P11 billion, making additional funding from national sources more vital. — Sandara Laurente and Ashley Chad Jopia, CTU-Tuburan Interns/MRM (FREEMAN)