Participants from the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) Joint Secretariat, organizers from the Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA), ladies and gentlemen, good day to all of you.  

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. 

Before anything else, Alhamdulillah, as we have almost reached the end of 2024! I would like to congratulate everyone on your achievements, but most especially on your hard work and dedication to ensuring that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remains a shining beacon of lasting peace and progress. 

Truly, our harmonious working relations in the past months have resulted in public-oriented policies that will surely have lasting benefits for BARMM.  

We successfully turned over our third Progress Report to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the sixth anniversary of the signing of the BOL last July—a solid testament to our commitment to supporting BARMM’s transition to autonomy. 

And at the same time, the National Government is investing further in the region's economic development. Hence, under our proposed FY 2025 national budget—which we hope will be passed on third and final reading by the Senate this month—we will continue to support BARMM with some Php 94.4 billion, 17 percent higher than its FY 2024 allocation.  

In relation to this and to ensure effective governance, we have consistently pursued capacity-building efforts through DBM’s Public Financial Management Competency Programs. Also, I would like to congratulate OPAPRU on the successful first-ever ministerial-level International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), which the Philippines hosted last October. Here, we were able to discuss the mainstreaming of Gender and Development initiatives in the region. 

Truly, as the year draws to a close, we can be proud of the policies and programs we have successfully implemented. 

Indeed, BARMM is a shining example of achieving peace through dialogue and the empowerment of local communities. Alhamdulillah! 

Now, in seeking to ensure the continued success of BARMM, PBBM also instructed us to create an IGRB Manual of Operations. Following this directive, I hope that the program today will be fruitful in finalizing the Manual, to ensure the continuity of the process of resolving Intergovernmental Relations issues as the transition period ends after the first regular elections in the BARMM. 

Indeed, it is heartwarming to see that the whole world is not only watching but rooting for the success of BARRM—that is why we have to continue to work hard. 

Hence, I look forward to a productive IGRB year-end assessment, so we can continue to deliver quality and responsive public services to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Together, let us continue making history and working together for lasting peace, good governance, and genuine prosperity. Insha Allah! 

Mabuhay ang IGRB! Mabuhay ang Bagong BARMM at ang Bagong Pilipinas!  

Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu. 

END  

To Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia G. Pineda;     

PH-OGP Steering Committee members from the government and civil society;     

Our very own DBM Regional Office III, led by Director Rosalie C. Abesamis and Acting Assistant Director Gracela A. Ortiz;    

Our partners from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA);     

Our commitment holders, stakeholders, and participants,    

Mayap a gatpanapun, Pampanga!    

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.    

It is a very special day for all of us Open Government advocates because today, November 15, we are conducting the 15th and final run for the year of OGPinas! here at the Culinary Capital of the Philippines!    

But I also know you are very famous for your vibrant and fabulous festivals—the Giant Lantern Festival, Sinukwan Festival, and Manyaman (Masarap) Festival and I even learned that Porac is celebrating the Binulu Festival today featuring indigenous cooking!  

But here in Clark, we are also celebrating! Because we have completed our OGPinas! which started in 2023 and we have engaged almost 4,000 stakeholders from national and local government units, civil society organizations, and even state universities and colleges!  

I am so proud to share napakadami na po nating nagawa para sa bukas na pamamahala.  

First of all, in June 2023, we achieved a major milestone in PH-OGP when, for the first time since its founding more than a decade ago, we institutionalized this movement through the signing of the Executive Order No. 31 by no less than our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.   

Next, we brought the biggest delegation to the 2023 OGP Global Summit held in Tallinn, Estonia where the Philippines was lauded by no less than the Chief Executive Officer of OGP, Mr. Sanjay Pradhan, as "a country with open government in its DNA."  

In Tallinn, I also announced that we will work hard to amend the 20-year-old Government Procurement Reform Act, and I am proud to share that we did this in less than a year!  

Most importantly, we deeply embedded the principles of transparency and participative governance in our procurement law. With the President’s signing of the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), the biggest anti-graft and corruption law in recent history, we have paved the way for a more efficient and incorruptible procurement system.     

This has been hailed by no less than the World Bank with this statement [and I quote], “The Philippines has taken a big step forward with the enactment of the NGPA, which strengthens the ability of CSOs to participate in public monitoring of procurement processes and contract implementation.”    

Another highlight of the NGPA is the Inclusive Procurement Program which aims to create opportunities for marginalized sectors, including women-led MSMEs, social enterprises, and startups. This landmark law aims to enhance participation and promote fairness in procurement activities while recognizing gender and ethnic equity, poverty reduction, and adherence to labor standards.  

For 2024, we introduced the Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting. Through this, some 75 municipalities nationwide will have access to safely managed and resilient water supply and sanitation services. This also covers the construction of climate-smart evacuation centers. The OGP component of this is that civil society organizations themselves have helped identify the beneficiaries, two of which are from Region III1, namely the Municipality of Dinalungan in Aurora and Municipality of Nampicuan in Nueva Ecija.  

Kaya naman po, number one din po tayo sa Southeast Asia pagdating sa Public Participation ayon sa Open Budget Survey. Ibig sabihin, ang taumbayan, pati na mga Civil Society Organization ay kasama sa pagdedesisyon ng pamahalaan.   

Aside from participatory budgeting, we also ensured that we improved on budget transparency.   

Gaya ng lagi kong sinasabi, ang OGP po ay importante upang pagtibayin pa ang transparency at accountability ng ating gobyerno. And I am happy to report that this May, the Philippines ranked number 1 in budget transparency, not only in Southeast Asia but in all of Asia, based on the latest Open Budget Survey as well.  

Ibig sabihin, maaaring siyasatin ng publiko ang ating national budget. Higit pa diyan, sa pamamagitan ng ating People’s Budget series, mas naiintindihan ng mga Pilipino ang nakalaang pondo para sa mga programa at proyekto sa bawat sektor ng gobyerno.    

We also welcomed four LGUs from the Philippines to the OGP Local Program! These LGUs are Baguio City, Quezon City, Municipality of Larena in Siquijor, and Tagbilaran City, joining South Cotabato. Sa mga susunod na taon, sana po ay mas marami pa po ang mga Local Government Units na makasali rito at naniniwala po ako na kayang-kaya ring makipagsabayan ng Pampanga sa OGP Local Program!     

Last September, I attended the OGP Leaders Roundtable held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. I am proud to report that OGP CEO Sanjay Pradhan cited the Philippines as a shining example of OGP for mainstreaming open government in its socioeconomic framework. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members and partners for all your hard work and our enthusiastic collaboration that has reinforced the Philippines as a global leader in the open governance space!  

We also hosted a side event at the very first ministerial-level International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS) two weeks ago wherein the PH-OGP convened notable women leaders for a panel discussion on the integration of the WPS Agenda into the open government framework. This is a testament to our commitment to ensuring a transparent, accountable, and participative governance that leads to a peaceful and prosperous nation through gender-responsive approaches.  

And last October, I started my term as a member of the OGP Global Steering Committee, and we embarked on our new role in leading OGP in the region. We also see the magnitude of the responsibility and the opportunity to elevate our efforts on a regional and even global scale.  

This coming February 2025, we will host the OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting. Our preparations are now in full swing! I encourage all of you to share your OGP testimonies and success stories with us, so we can show the world what we are doing for a more open government in the country. Together, we can make this the most dynamic, fruitful, and memorable OGP Regional Summit. In Shaa Allah!   

Our commitment to advancing open government has yielded positive results, and it will continue to impact the lives of our fellow Filipinos.  

So we have a lot of good news for OGP, but we also still have a long road ahead. Let us continue to build on our gains as we pursue the sustainability of our commitments under our 6th PH-OGP National Action Plan.   

And since this is the last one for the year, let’s make this the best run of OGPinas!: speak up, push for accountability in our government, and create space for our fellow Filipinos to participate in our country’s governance.   

Sama-sama po tayo sa Bagong Pilipinas kung saan ang gobyerno ay bukas—bukas sa publiko, bukas sa kabataan, bukas sa kababaihan, bukas sa manggagawa, bukas sa sambayanan… bukas para sa magandang kinabukasan ng ating bayan!   

Kaya sama sama din po nating isigaw: OG… Pinas! (Isa pa, mas malakas! OG… Pinas!)   

Dakal pung salamat Pampanga!  

END    

¹ Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2024   

Pre-Recorded Introduction of OGP and Message of Support 

MINDANAO OGP REGIONAL FORUM AND PROPEACE

LEARNING EXCHANGE 

To  GenSan City Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao; 

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr.; 

Our dearest counterparts from the Open Government Partnership (OGP);  

Fellow members of the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Steering Committee;  

And to all the advocates and champions of open government and good governance present here today;  

Good morning. Magandang Umaga po. 

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. 

First, allow me to thank the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Steering Committee members and representatives for organizing this transformative event which provides a platform for learning exchange, collaboration, and co-creation, sparking hope and inspiration among open government reformers in Mindanao.  

This activity is another testament to our steadfast commitment to establishing transparent, accountable, and participatory governance in the Philippines, which we pledged to accomplish as one of the eight founding members of the OGP in 2011.  

Thirteen years later, the partnership has grown to 77 countries, 106 local governments, thousands of civil society organizations, and several multilateral partners. But beyond these impressive numbers, I am proud to affirm that the Philippines remains one of the frontrunners in advancing open government not only on a national but on a regional and global scale! 

Through our firm commitment to the Open Government principles, we have laid solid foundations for our reforms. In fact, we have successfully identified having open government as a key strategy for sustainable growth in our Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, weaving OGP into our Agenda for Prosperity. 

And as Chairperson of the PH-OGP, I assured that open government would be given the prioritization and attention it deserves. I am proud to report that within a year into office, we institutionalized the PH-OGP through Executive Order No. 31, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in June 2023. This historic win ensures that OGP values are embedded in policies and programs across all branches of government.  

In October 2023, we launched the OGPinas! Nationwide Advocacy Campaign, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine Information Agency. In fact, its last leg for the year will happen tomorrow, November 15, in Pampanga. To date, we have conducted 14 runs of our campaign and engaged more than 4,000 Filipinos around the country in pursuit of strengthening public participation in governance. 

In December last year, we presented the country's first-ever medium-term action plan on open government. The 6th PH-OGP National Action Plan responds to the call for the sustainability of our commitments to ensure that PH-OGP will be mainstreamed in all aspects of governance through our increased localization, digitalization, and public participation efforts.  

This year, we also celebrate several accomplishments in our open government journey. 

To promote public accountability and integrity, we have enhanced transparency and access to information in the bureaucracy. With focused determination, we improved our ratings in the latest Open Budget Survey: Under the PBBM Administration, the Philippines is now No. 1 in budget transparency not only in Southeast Asia but in all of Asia.  

Ibig sabihin po, maaaring siyasatin ng publiko ang ating national budget. Higit pa diyan, sa pamamagitan ng ating People’s Budget series, mas naiintindihan ng mga Pilipino ang nakalaang pondo para sa mga programa at proyekto sa bawat sektor ng gobyerno.  

Number one din po tayo sa Southeast Asia pagdating naman sa Public Participation. Ibig sabihin, ang taumbayan, pati na mga CSO ay kasama sa pagdedesisyon ng pamahalaan.   

We are also giving life to OGP by practicing participatory budgeting. In February this year, we launched the Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Through this, 75 municipalities nationwide will have access to safely managed and resilient water supply and sanitation services and climate-smart evacuation centers. But what is special about this program is the participation of CSOs in the identification of the beneficiaries. 

Our New Government Procurement Act or the NGPA (Republic Act No. 12009) was also signed into law just last July—less than a year since I announced at the OGP Global Summit in Tallinn, Estonia that we will pursue procurement reform. We consider the NGPA not only a leap forward in efficiency, but also the biggest anti-corruption measure in modern times as we have designed it to ensure that all stakeholders can access procurement information. Not only that, even representatives from the private sector and civil society can now observe and participate in all procurement proceedings! 

With these reforms, our country was recognized as a global open government champion. Last September, at the OGP Leaders Roundtable, held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, OGP CEO Sanjay Pradhan himself cited the Philippines as a shining example of OGP for mainstreaming open government in its socioeconomic framework. In fact, he previously stated that the Philippines is "a country with open government in its DNA.” 

Because of this, we were entrusted with a huge responsibility and opportunity to develop, promote, and safeguard OGP’s values. The Philippines, represented by yours truly, started its term last October 1 as a member of the OGP Global Steering Committee.  

This role makes us all the more passionate and eager to show the world what we are doing for a more open government. So, at the first-ever ministerial-level International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS), PH-OGP led a side event to discuss the integration of the WPS Agenda into the open government framework.   

At this forum, we also proudly shared how the Bangsamoro region and Mindanao as a whole foster a more gender-responsive approach to peacebuilding. We also took the chance to highlight the Bangsamoro Regional Action Plan on WPS (RAPWPS) and the different projects to strengthen peace and security in the region. 

As you can see, we have a lot to celebrate in OGP, but at the same time, we are aware that we still have a long way to go. So we will work harder and take it up a notch: We will be hosting the OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting this coming February 2025. I hope to see you there, and together, let’s make this the most dynamic, fruitful, and memorable OGP Regional Summit. In Shaa Allah!   

I am happy to note that in line with this, Mindanao will have its very own OGP Mindanao Forum. Rest assured that you have our support at the PH-OGP to ensure that this forum's consultations and conversations drive real change in our communities. 

As we move forward with today's agenda, let's remember our aspiration of building a truly open government—isang Bagong Pilipinas kung saan ang mga pangarap at pangangailangan ng mamamayan ay tinutugunan ng isang gobyernong tapat sa kanyang pinaglilingkuran.  

Isigaw po natin ang OGPinas! sa Bagong Pilipinas! 

Maraming salamat po. Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu. 

END 

To the Association of Local Government Budget Officers of Davao Region Inc. headed by President Ermelinda F. Gallego;   

Our very own DBM Regional Office XI; 

Our representatives from DBM Central Office;  

To our Public Financial Management (PFM) practitioners and participants;   

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  

Maayong buntag sa tanan! 

We are so happy because this is our final PFMCP for LGUs for this year! Congratulations to our Advocacy, Communications, and Training Service-Capacity Development Division (ACTS-CDD), our Local Government and Regional Coordination Bureau (LGRCB), the Regional Associations of the Philippine League of Local Budget Officers (PHILLBO) Inc., and all of the DBM Regional Offices for successfully facilitating this program and making a significant impact in the country’s public financial management system.  

I am so happy to see that we have now completed our capacity development for 15 regions and capacitated more than 8,000 local PFM practitioners!   

As the saying goes, save the best for last, so we look forward to having the most memorable PFM Competency Program in Davao City, the King City of the South!  

This is especially meaningful for me because the first ever capacity building program that I attended as Secretary back in 2022 was also in Davao, for our PFMCP for BARMM under the curriculum for National Government Agencies.   

I always like to participate in our capacity development programs as much as I can because I am always inspired by the success stories—how our program has empowered our local governments to better serve their constituents. This is a powerful reminder of our mission—to promote fiscal discipline, allocative efficiency, and operational efficiency to uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos.      

So today, we do not only celebrate our accomplishments but seek to exceed them, inspiring others along the way.   

I am happy because again, there’s no doubt that you will be able to do just that because I learned that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recognized the City Government of Davao as the Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in the region. Congratulations on this well-deserved award! 

And I am again happy because despite your significant accomplishments, you still strive to learn more and do better, especially in terms of PFM.  

So on our end at the Department of Budget and Management, we also strive to give you an exceptional competency program, carefully designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills that will enable you to manage your resources effectively and efficiently.  

In the next three days, our top-caliber experts will walk you through the seven foundation courses covering the fundamentals of PFM, the budgeting process, the procurement process, auditing, contract management and implementation, among others.    

I am also happy that you will learn more about the new law —the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), which was signed into law last July 20.  

Alam ninyo naman kung gaano ka-importante sa ating lahat ang procurement. 

Kaya naman unang araw pa lang po natin sa DBM, gusto na po nating  baguhin ang ating dating Procurement Act para ito ay mas maging mabilis at mas madali.  

Nagpapasalamant po ako sa ating GPPB-TSO, PS-DBM, our legal team, communications team, at sa mga mambabatas na nag-sponsor ng batas na ito. At higit sa lahat, sa ating Pangulo dahil sinuportahan niya po tayo rito.  

Now, we can all look forward to a procurement system that adheres to global standards and is more attuned to changing times.  

Best of all, with the NGPA, pwede na rin tayong mag-add to cart na lang! We will have an e-marketplace where agencies can procure common-use supplies and equipment directly from competent and reputable suppliers.   

Not only that, we will also open the procurement process to citizen participation and allow the public to observe in procurement proceedings—true to the spirit of the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) which we institutionalized through the Executive Order No. 31 signed by the President last June 2023.  

Speaking of an open government, especially as Chairperson of the PH-OGP, I am also happy to share that we are now Number 1 in budget transparency not only in Southeast Asia but in the whole of Asia based on the 2023 Open Budget Survey, thanks to our timely and comprehensive publication of all budget documents that are open for public review and scrutiny.   

And for transparency and accountability, we are digitalizing our bureaucracy, beginning with the full adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), and the establishment of the Budget and Treasury Management System (BTMS) as the centralized database for all government financial operations.  

We are also reviving Project DIME. This is the Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation which will use modern technologies such as satellites, drones, and geotagging to monitor and evaluate the status, progress, and activities of the government’s big-ticket projects.   

These are part of our PFM Reforms Roadmap 2024 to 2028 which seeks to harmonize PFM policies across agencies and even the Local Government Units by fully digitalizing our PFM processes.  

Finally, I am happy to share that the proposed Php 6.352 trillion National Budget for 2025 was approved by the House of Representatives last September and has been undergoing Senate deliberations since last week.  

In fact, this is the reason why I can’t be with you in person today. As you know, when we are called by the Senate, we really have to be present, especially because our President has given an order to expedite the passage of our budget. 

Under this budget, some Php 1.1841 trillion has been allocated to our LGUs. Of this amount, some Php 165.542 billion is allocated to Region XI alone. On top of this, the Davao Region will also receive some Php 49.983 billion from the LGUs’ FY 2025 National Tax Allotment, higher by almost 18 percent than this year’s National Tax Allotment. 

Towards a sustainable and green economy, we will support our Local Government Units in building open spaces and infrastructure that promote active mobility through the Green Green Green Program with an allocation of Php 1.0 billion. Among the four beneficiaries from Region XI are LGUs in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, including the local governments of Panabo and Tagum. 

In addition to our green reforms to support local governments, we have likewise initiated the Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting (SAFPB) this fiscal year which will provide lagging municipalities with safely managed and resilient water supply and sanitation services. This program will likewise incorporate our open government principles since civil society organizations themselves have helped in the identification of the beneficiaries. 

As you can see, ang dami na nating proyekto para sa ating Bagong Pilipinas!  

So as we fulfill the Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling and empower our LGUs through our PFMCPs, I hope that we can truly apply a whole-of-government approach to making the Philippine economy better.  

Kaya galingan po natin at magtulong-tulong po tayo upang makamit natin ang isang Bago at Bonggang Bonggang Pilipinas dito sa Region XI at sa bawat Local Government Units.     

Mabuhay po ang Davao, ang Crown Jewel of Mindanao, at ang buong Southern Mindanao! Mabuhay ang Pilipino at ang Bagong Pilipinas!     

Salamat kaayo! Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.      

END    

_______________  

1FY 2025 BESF Table B7  

2 FY 2025 BESF Table B6c  

3 Local Budget Memorandum No. 90 s. 2024