MANILA – In a bold declaration, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has committed to elevating the Philippines to the pinnacle of global budget transparency. Speaking at a ceremony in the Department of Budget and Management’s central office in San Miguel, Manila, Pangandaman highlighted the nation’s recent achievements and future aspirations in open governance.
The event marked the launch of the 2024 Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Annual Accomplishment Report, the PH-OGP Legacy Book, and an inspirational gallery tracing the journey of PH-OGP since its inception in 2011. Pangandaman, who also serves as the chairperson of PH-OGP, emphasized the government’s strides in securing the top position for budget transparency in Asia and sixth globally, according to the 2023 Open Budget Survey.
Pangandaman outlined the Marcos administration’s initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and public engagement in governance. She pointed to the launch of the 6th PH-OGP National Action Plan in 2024 as a significant step forward. The DBM, under her leadership, is dedicated to ensuring that budget documents are readily accessible and subject to public scrutiny.
Further, Pangandaman celebrated the enactment of Republic Act 12009, the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), as a landmark anti-corruption measure. The NGPA introduces open contracting, which allows public access to procurement data and encourages civil society participation to ensure the responsible use of government resources.
The DBM’s efforts extend beyond Manila, with the OGPinas! campaign reaching nine regions and engaging nearly 4,000 stakeholders, including champions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The event also served as a precursor to the OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) 2025, which the Philippines will host from February 5 to 7. A new OGP Asia Pacific Mobile App was launched to facilitate participant engagement and schedule monitoring for the upcoming summit.