DILG and CSOs brainstorm on how to push for more transparent and accountable local governance

March 21, 2011

CODE-NGO

 DILG and CSOs brainstorm on how to push for more transparent and accountable local governance

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and various civil society organizations held a forum last February 22, 2011 on “Advancing Transparency and Accountability in Governance.” The full disclosure policy among LGUs, as embodied in Memorandum Circular (MC) 2010-87 and MC 2011-08 issued by DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, was extensively discussed in the forum. The circulars require all provincial, city and municipal local government units to post on their bulletin boards and publish on their websites relevant financial documents that will help inform citizens on how their respective LGUs are allocating and spending their financial resources.

A forum on “Advancing Transparency and Accountability in Governance” was co-organized by the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) and various civil society organizations last 22 February 2011. The full disclosure policy being implemented by DILG was extensively discussed during this forum.

Memorandum Circular (MC) 2010-83 and MC 2011-08, which was issued by DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, requires all provincial, city and municipal local government units to post on their bulletin boards and publish on their websites 12 financial documents that will help inform citizens on how their respective LGUs are allocating and spending their financial resources.

The 12 documents required to be posted are the annual budget report, quarterly statement of cash flows, statement of receipts and expenditures, trust fund (PDAF) utilization, quarterly report of Special Education Fund utilization, 20% component of IRA utilization, annual GAD accomplishment report, statement of debt service, annual procurement plan or procurement list, items to bid, bid results on civil works, goods and services, and abstract of bids as calculated. All these 12 documents are reports that are already being accomplished by LGUs and should impose no additional burden in their preparation.

However, DILG reported that there has been a low compliance rate on the full disclosure policy among LGUs. CSOs and DILG officials and representatives from the local government leagues discussed possible incentives and sanctions that could be imposed to help improve compliance with the full disclosure policy.

This policy forum was the first of a series of policy forums that will be jointly organized by DILG and partner CSOs on a monthly basis. Aside from the policy forums, there are also plans to conduct regional workshops on promoting transparent, accountable and participatory local governance within the first semester of 2011. These workshops will bring together the regional DILG offices, CSOs and LGUs in the hopes of fostering more CSO-government partnerships for good governance.   — By Patrick Lim, Advocacy Specialist. 

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