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Media ReleasesSWP pushes for citizens participation in the Budget Reform Bill, favors DBM’s cash-based budgeting | SWP PR 29 Aug 2018
SOCIALWATCH PHILS·SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 SWP pushes for citizens participation in the Budget Reform Bill, favors DBM’s cash-based budgeting The government’s initiative, particularly the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), to reform the budgeting scheme through the #BudgetReformBill (BRB) is a welcome act for Social Watch Philippines (SWP).
SWP is a budget watchdog that has been advocating for transparent, efficient, accountable and pro-poor utilization of public funds, especially the financing of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the national and local budgets. These advocacies are being pushed forward through the framework on participatory governance. SWP is appealing to all legislators to ensure that the BRB must pass the bar as participatory governance is concerned. “#PeoplesParticipation in budget reforms is a central concern to us because this assures space and hearing for people’s issues and demands in the planning and budgeting processes,” SWP Co-Convenor Isagani Serrano said. Meanwhile, the SWP, after a careful study of the BRB, favors the new scheme of #CashBased budgeting (CBB) for it will impose discipline in both planning and budgeting by the government agencies. Though SWP reminds the DBM that despite the good intention of the CBB, they should realize that it cannot stand alone. According to Mr. Serrano, for the CBB to work, the government should put high consideration in aligning it with other relevant laws and policies. “The government should consider other relevant laws and policies like procurement, red-tape etc., to make CBB work. There's so much about governance that needs reforming to make a focused reform measure like CBB to fly,” said Serrano. Serrano believes that the government system of budgeting should address first and foremost our pressing national concerns like ending poverty, reduction of inequality and failure to protect our environment. The SWP encouraged the government agencies that are tasked to deliver social services to strengthen their absorptive capacity to ensure that that every tax payer’s money will be put to better use. Isagani R Serrano Marivic Raquiza Jeck Reyes-Cantos Rene Raya Janet Crndng Mars Mendoza Sheic Sims Dhel Lubyo AKTIB Philippines Carol Claudio Tax Tobacco to the Max Elijah San Fernando RoseAnn Batuigas Back to top |