DBM mandates 6 NGAs and 3 GOCCs to involve CSOs in the formulation of their 2012 budget

DBM issued last month the National Budget Memorandum (NBM) 109, mandating all government agencies in the executive department to enter into partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs) in undertaking a participatory budget formulation process for the 2012 budget. The participatory budgeting process shall be piloted in 6 national government agencies (NGAs) and 3 government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).  These 6 NGAs are the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The 3 pilot GOCCs include the National Food Authority (NFA), National Housing Authority (NHA) and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC). 

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Through National Budget Memorandum (NBM) 109 issued last 17 February 2011, the Department of Budget and Management had directed six National Government Agencies (NGAs) and three Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to enter into partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs) in undertaking a participatory budget formulation process for the 2012 budget.

While NBM 109 is applicable to all government agencies in the executive department, the identified NGAs and GOCCs shall serve as pilots for the DBM’s initiative to make the executive’s budget formulation process more participatory. These include the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for NGAs. The three pilot GOCCs include the National Food Authority (NFA), National Housing Authority (NHA) and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC).  

CSOs who have previously undertaken budget analysis and/or monitoring activities are eligible to enter into partnership agreements with government agencies whose programs have been the subject of their budget analysis or monitoring activities.

In line with this and consistent with CODE-NGO’s strategic plan, CODE-NGO, PHILDHRRA and PHILSSA have submitted their letters of intent to enter into partnerships with DA, DAR and NHA respectively for the formulation of the 2012 budgets of these agencies.

CSOs who do not enter into partnership agreements may still participate in consultations that will be undertaken at the national and regional levels. They may also formally submit their recommendations in writing to the concerns government agencies.  — By Patrick Lim, Advocacy Specialist.