DBM calls on CSOs to participate as 2013 budget preparation process starts

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 13, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Department of Budget and Management called on the civil society organizations to actively participate in the budget preparation for 2013.

DBM Regional Director Imelda Laceras said this is in support to the Aquino Administration’s commitment of promoting good governance through citizen participation in the budget process.

Director Laceras informed that a Regional Budget Forum shall be conducted by DBM RO VIII on January 20, 2012 (1:00-5:00 pm) at the Department of Public Works and Highways RO VIII Conference Hall, Candahug, Palo, Leyte.

The Budget Forum signals the commencement of the FY 2013 Budget Preparation activities.  Expected participants are heads and Financial Management Officer (FMO)/Budget Officer of national line government agencies (DOH, DPWH, TESDA, DepEd and NEDA) and from the 10 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the region.  Also invited are Regional Line Agencies where budgets are directly handled by the different Bureaus in DBM Central Office like DENR, DA, DSWD, DOLE, DTI, DILG, DOTC and DAR.

CSOs’ involvement in the budget preparation is a relatively new feature of the budget process. Started last year, the Department is continuously making efforts to institutionalize and progressively broaden constructive partnership with CSOs especially on the allocation and utilization of public funds.  Hence, interested CSOs are encouraged to attend said forum, Director Laceras said.

Director Laceras elucidated that the forum will tackle the recently issued National Budget Memorandum No. 112, which is the National Budget Call for FY 2013.  Said NBM provides the policy guidelines and procedures in the preparation of the FY 2013 Budget Proposals.

It aims to, among others, flesh out remaining lump-sum fund, strengthen Regional Development Council mechanism, expand CSO engagement, and implement the “Bottom-Up” approach in budgeting.  Also to be discussed during the forum is National Budget Circular No. 535 on the Guidelines on the Release of Funds for FY 2012 and the Highlights of the 2011-2016 Regional Development Plan by the NEDA Regional Office VIII.