To my fellow Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Steering Committee members; 

Our resource persons; 

To all advocates and champions of open government and good governance; 

Good afternoon.  

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.    

At the OGP Leaders Roundtable held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly last September 26 in New York, as Chairperson of the Philippines Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), I presented our country’s latest efforts towards combating corruption and strengthening integrity in government. I am proud to report that OGP CEO Sanjay Pradhan, in highlighting the examples of open government actions from various countries, 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 our members and partners from the National Government Agencies, the Judiciary, local governments, and especially from civil society for all your hard work and our enthusiastic collaboration that has reinforced the Philippines as a global leader in the open governance space!    

This gives us a better vantage point as we embark on our new role in leading OGP in the region as the term of the Philippines as a member of the OGP Global Steering Committee, represented by yours truly, started just last October 1, presenting us with an excellent opportunity to elevate our efforts on a regional and even global scale.     

But there's no time like the present and so at this first-ever ministerial-level International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS), let us take the opportunity to exchange views and engage in ideas for the integration of the WPS Agenda within the open government framework and vice versa. After all, our vision for transparent, accountable, and participative governance goes hand-in-hand with our aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous nation through gender-responsive approaches. 

On this note, allow me to jumpstart the discussions by sharing our government’s key policies and programs that empower women and peacebuilding, reflecting our unwavering commitment to prioritizing the WPS Agenda within our national development goals.   

Recognizing that WPS initiatives cannot move forward without resources and financial support, we established gender-responsive budgeting as early as 1995. We introduced “The Women’s Budget,” or the Gender and Development (GAD) Budget, which mandates all departments and agencies to allocate a minimum of five percent of their budgets for gender programs, projects, and activities.  

This was further operationalized and translated into meaningful and targeted outcomes through the enactment of the Magna Carta of Women of 2009, the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Plan 2019 to 2025, and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. These strategic documents ensure that the WPS Agenda will get the right support, financing, and prioritization it deserves. 

We also take pride in the fact that the Philippines is the first Asian country to adopt a National Action Plan (NAP) on WPS in 2010 and one of only two ASEAN countries among the 103 countries that have developed their respective National Action Plan on WPS. It is now in its fourth iteration, emphasizing the importance of civil society and government collaboration, acknowledging women's intersecting identities, and addressing emerging issues like digital peace, climate change, and cybersecurity.  

Anchored on these legal frameworks, we have been working tirelessly to implement actionable strategies and integrate gender perspectives into our government programs and services. 

Towards women empowerment, our programs under the proposed FY 2025 National Budget are built on the principle that enabling women to be leaders in peace and security begins by nurturing their capabilities through economic support, education, health, and climate crisis protection.    

We ensure that women have access to financial resources to protect the welfare of their families through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and that they have access to capacity-building opportunities through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) to increase their entrepreneurial skills and income-generating capabilities.  

In addition, through the People’s Survival Fund, we are also able to incorporate gender-responsive measures into our climate action programs, including climate finance, which will help improve the climate resilience of communities and promote inclusive growth. 

Towards peace and security, we ensure that resources will be available to materialize our vision of a thriving Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)—where we had previously experienced decades of armed conflict—and a Mindanao that shines as the land of promise through the Normalization Program, the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, and the establishment of the Marawi Compensation Board, among others.     

These are just some of the significant strides we have taken towards empowering women and achieving peace in our socioeconomic development agenda.   

Lest we forget, the WPS Agenda will never be complete without the integration of children and youth sectors in the narrative and initiatives. This has been made clear by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and often repeated throughout the conference: women and children are the most affected and displaced by conflicts, and so policies to protect them should be given primordial importance.  

Now, we are eager to listen to and learn from our speakers and panelists, which includes a youth advocate from Mindanao, and even our audience from different fields and different countries on the paths you are taking towards a gender-equitable, inclusive, and transparent government.      

May our diverse voices—filled with insights from our different experiences, cultures, and communities—come together so that we may speak with one voice—whether you are from government, from the Judiciary or from civil society—as we pursue gender equality, global security and lasting peace. 

Thank you very much.  

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

END 

Excellencies, distinguished leaders, ladies and gentlemen:  

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.   

Magandang hapon po. Good afternoon to everyone.  

What an honor and inspiration to be in a room full of empowered women and men from around the world championing our Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda!  

This conference is indeed monumental as the first-ever ministerial-level international conference on the WPS Agenda. And it is especially significant for the Philippines today as we seek to ensure peace and security in the Asia Pacific region. But as a woman—the only Muslim female in the Cabinet and the only woman in the Philippine Economic Team at that—this Conference means a lot to me because it sparks hope: hope that in the near future, we will achieve a world where gender equality is the norm, not just the aspiration.  

I come from a small town in the south of the Philippines—Marawi City in Mindanao—a place that has seen the scars of conflict. But it is not only in Marawi but also in various parts of our archipelago that we have seen and continue to see a significant number of women and girls experiencing traumatic situations, even exploitation, and having difficulty accessing education and other opportunities even to this day.  In spite of all the achievements for equality that our government can be proud of, the reality is that scenarios like these still exist.

Yet under these circumstances, we see resilience and strength. Despite facing unimaginable challenges, women rise. Mothers, grandmothers, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, teachers, professionals, doctors, nurses, health care workers, weavers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and advocates rise everyday to care for their families and communities.     

Hence, these realities must not discourage us but instead motivate us to deepen and strengthen our resolve to advance the WPS Agenda and find innovative financing solutions and ways to integrate gender perspectives into financial planning and create resources, opportunities, and support for women to be vital agents in peacebuilding and security. 

Thankfully, this conference has given us a platform to do just that. This thematic discussion, in particular, gives us the unique opportunity to listen and discover the creative and strategic ways that we are advancing the WPS Agenda in our different countries.   

On that note, allow me to share the ways by which the Philippines is advancing gender equality and contributing to global security through its significant investments in WPS initiatives.      

Gender-Responsive Budgeting   

As early as 1995, we introduced “The Women’s Budget,” or the Gender and Development (GAD) Budget, in our National Budget, which mandates all departments and agencies up to the Local Government Units to allocate a minimum of five (5) percent for gender programs, projects, and activities.   

In 2009, we enacted the Magna Carta of Women, which protects women during disasters, calamities, and crises. It incorporates their welfare in peace agendas and recognizes their crucial role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.  

This law is further operationalized and translated into meaningful and targeted outcomes through the updated Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Plan 2019 to 2025 by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). It serves as the government’s guide and key reference in formulating our GAD agenda, plans and budgets, and strategic actions.   

In fact, based on the latest GAD budget report of the PCW, 16.68 percent of the entire National Budget last year was allocated for GAD, amounting to some USD 15.58 billion or Php 888.2 billion. This is much higher than the mandated minimum of 5 percent allocation for gender programs, projects, and activities.  

National Action Plan on WPS  

We also take pride in the fact that the Philippines is the first Asian country to adopt a National Action Plan on WPS in 2010 and only one of two ASEAN countries among the 103 countries that have developed their respective National Action Plans. It is now in its fourth iteration, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between civil society and government, acknowledging women's intersecting identities, and addressing emerging issues like digital peace and cybersecurity.  

Anchored on these frameworks, we have been working tirelessly to implement actionable strategies and integrate gender perspectives into financial planning and management to bolster our WPS programs.  

In fact, as we enter the second phase of the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Assessments, we will also thoroughly assess how the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda is included in the way we manage our financial resources, helping us to ensure that this is ingrained in our PFM systems and practices. 

FY 2025 Programs on Women Empowerment  

Towards women empowerment, our programs under the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 National Budget are built on the principle that enabling women to be leaders in peace and security begins by nurturing their capabilities through economic support, education, and climate crisis protection.   

Our budget for our most extensive social protection program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), has exponentially increased from only USD 5.37 million in 2008 to USD 2.0 billion in 2025, benefiting some 4.4 million Filipino households. This budget also includes some USD 11.77 billion for additional grants for pregnant and lactating mothers to ensure the health and nutrition of their children for the first 1,000 days of their life.  

Cash grants are given directly to mothers of eligible households, increasing their ability to invest in the well-being of their families, thereby improving the survival, health, and access to education of their children.  

This is further strengthened by the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which has some USD 16.2 million. This will support the vision of a gender-responsive Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector and improve women entrepreneurs’ access to capital, especially since more than half of those who access MSME loans are women business owners.   

Towards the same vision, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is also actively promoting women’s economic empowerment by increasing access of women to financing through the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso or the P3 Program (Fund for Change and Progress) with an allocation of USD 26.3 million, and providing space for women’s enterprises through the One Town, One Product Philippines Program with an allocation of USD 1.6 million. 

Recognizing the vulnerabilities of women and girls during disasters, we are also working hard to incorporate gender-responsive measures in our climate action programs, including in climate finance, such as our People’s Survival Fund (PSF). For 2025, some USD 17.5 million is allotted for PSF to implement climate change adaptation programs.  

Aside from the programs and initiatives of the Philippine government agencies, we are also fortunate that there are a multitude of dynamic initiatives supporting women and peace in our country. From UN Women Philippines to Spark Philippines, which champions the development of women and youth and girls as full partners in gender equality; to Noorus Salam (Light of Peace), a national network of Muslim women religious and civil society leaders; to the Philippine Women's Economic Network and the Philippine Business Coalition for Women; and many more.  

Official Development Assistance (ODA) on Gender and Development   

Aside from these, the Philippines is working closely with development partners to improve gender and development efforts in the country. As early as 2001, we organized the Official Development Assistance – Gender and Development (ODA-GAD) network composed of the gender focal persons of bilateral and multilateral development agencies in the country together with the PCW and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).   

To give you an overview, NEDA reported in 2023 that approximately USD 1.2 billion of ODA loans and grants had been allotted to infrastructure programs that are gender-responsive and have promising GAD prospects.  

I am happy to share that we have revitalized the network this year to coordinate, promote, and strengthen accountability for gender equality in ODA-funded programs in the Philippines. 

Peace and Security  

Towards peace and security, our initiatives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) exemplify how inclusive strategies can lay the groundwork for peace and progress. For the past decade, we have already invested a total of USD 144.99 million in the Normalization program which aims to uplift the conditions of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants, their families, and communities. And we will continue to support it next year with USD 16.0 million.  

Meanwhile, some USD 92 million has been allotted to the PAMANA or the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Program to strengthen peacebuilding initiatives, reconstruction, and development in BARMM. This will be implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will work closely with them to improve the PAMANA program to make it a more explicit WPS mechanism.  

Women in Peacebuilding Initiatives  

True to our vision of a thriving BARMM and a Mindanao that shines as a land of promise, we have also established the Bangsamoro Women Commission, the body responsible for mainstreaming gender equality into the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. With the help of UN Philippines, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and UN Women, the Bangsamoro Women Commission was able to develop and launch the Bangsamoro Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (RAPWPS).  

Their partnership has also helped reintegrate members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Women Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB), an all-female group of the MILF, by offering them sustainable livelihood opportunities and capacity building on conflict-response mechanisms. It enabled them to participate in socio-economic affairs and expand their community protection and peacebuilding role.    

On our end, the Department of Budget and Management has been conducting capacity building programs on Public Financial Management for BARMM to help and guide the Bangsamoro government in establishing a sound PFM system. And I am happy to share that among the hundreds we trained in the region, most of them are women. This makes us even more confident that BARMM will have an efficient, transparent, and accountable public financial management system.  

Indeed, women leaders in the Philippines have been instrumental in shaping our peace and security landscape, serving as powerful role models. To name a few, I would like to highlight the profound contributions of Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, who became the first woman chief negotiator in the world to sign a major peace agreement with a non-state armed group.   

Conclusion  

As leaders and advocates, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that WPS initiatives are rightfully prioritized and financially supported.   

Because as you know, women empowerment leads to equality; equality leads to peace; peace leads to economic development; and economic development leads to prosperity.  As reflected in our Philippine Development Plan, gender equality is key to achieving our Agenda for Prosperity.   

Hence, let us do everything we can to further empower our women, especially the future generations of women who, like us, will stand up for peace and ensure not only the security but also the prosperity of nations.   

Thank you very much.  

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

END 

To our First Lady Louise Araneta–Marcos; 

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique A. Manalo; 

Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr.;  

United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed;  

Ministers and participants from our community of nations;  

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;  

Colleagues in public service, our development partners, guests, and members of the press and the academe; 

Good morning.  

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. 

On behalf of the Philippine Government and our organizers, welcome to the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS)!  

We prepared really well for this event, and I hope you take advantage of all the opportunities to engage with your fellow delegates throughout the next three days. 

Before proceeding, I would like to take a moment to remember those who have been most affected by the recent Tropical Storm Kristine or Trami. As of the evening of October 26, some 4.2 million Filipinos have been affected, especially in Bicol and CALABARZON regions. This includes women such as pregnant women and breastfeeding women and their babies among the vulnerable victims of the typhoon. We thank all of those who have extended help, including the private sector, and especially the global community and international organizations. Indeed, while all agencies have been fulfilling their respective tasks in disaster management and rescue and relief operations, this is a reminder for us to increase our efforts in climate action and sustainability. 

But dialogue is always a good start, and the reminders from Tropical Storm Trami only make this conference even more relevant.  

This gathering is especially significant as it is the first-ever ministerial level International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security.   

It has been two decades since the landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, focusing on women, peace, and security, was established. The resolution called on us to commit to and execute a range of actions to increase women's representation and participation in conflict prevention and resolution, to advance respect for and protection of women’s rights, and to address women's security and broader needs in conflict-affected contexts.  

It is encouraging to see how our countries heeded the call. On our part, the Philippines, our Foreign Affairs Department has championed the WPS Agenda at various international fora. In fact, I had the opportunity to head the Philippine delegation at the 68th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women held in New York last March 2024 where I highlighted the notable strides our country has gained in advancing women’s rights. 

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity or OPAPRU has taken major steps in establishing peace in Mindanao, resulting in the passage of the landmark Bangsamoro Organic Law that has established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), proving that dialogue is the better path to peace. It is important to note that BARMM, which will have its very first elections this coming May, has its own Bangsamoro Women Commission which promotes, advocates, and mainstreams Gender and Development by integrating gender initiatives in the region.  

And we at the Department of Budget and Management have developed a gender-responsive National Budget. We have the “Women's Budget” or the Gender and Development Budget in the General Appropriations Act, a policy directing all government agencies to allocate a minimum of five percent of their total annual budgets for gender programs, projects, and activities that align with the WPS Agenda.  

And of course, we have our Philippine Commission on Women which reviews, evaluates, and recommends measures to ensure the full integration of women for economic, social, and cultural development. 

Our Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 also recognizes the need to intensify efforts to advance economic opportunities for women through harnessing digital technologies. 

And the Cabinet of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has five female Ministers, including yours truly—the only Muslim Filipina in the Philippine Cabinet and also the first Muslim Filipina Budget Minister in our country. This reflects the substantial progress we have made in empowering women and enabling us to participate meaningfully in decision-making. It is also a testament to the President’s commitment to elevating women to more prominent roles as well as giving them greater voice especially within the government.  

Indeed, I am proud to report that we have ensured that the global imperative of advancing women, peace, and security initiatives did not fall on deaf ears. And that twenty-four years later, the Philippines remains steadfast in its commitment to championing women's empowerment and amplifying their roles in peacebuilding.  

These are just some of our key achievements in advancing the WPS Agenda. 

Now, we are eager to hear how the various delegates from all over the world are championing WPS in their respective countries. 

So as we gather today, may we not only learn from each other but inspire each other. Let us do what women do best: listen. That we may find out how we can support each other in advancing our advocacies in our respective countries, ensuring that our hard-earned lessons reach those who need them the most while also opening the door for us to discover and adopt innovative strategies from others that we haven't yet considered.    

At this time when women face non-traditional security concerns—such as threats to health security, cybersecurity, and climate change, among others—it is crucial for us to recognize that the future landscape of WPS is no longer confined within the traditional borders of countries and cultures.  

Together, let us create an enabling environment in our respective nations where women are empowered to become catalysts of positive and meaningful change that will not only promote gender equality but also lead to more comprehensive and effective responses to the complex peace and security issues of our time.  

Remember, when we women come together and put our minds into it, we can get through any storm and even dance in the rain. So let us put our minds and hearts together at this Conference and give women and peace a chance.  

Thank you very much and we look forward to our discussions in the next three days.  

Maraming salamat po! Mabuhay!  

Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.   

END 

To Mayor Caesar "Jaycee" Dy Jr., represented by Hon. Edgardo Atienza, Jr.; 

To the members of the Sangguniang Bayan—maraming salamat po sa pasuporta sa programa ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) dito sa Cauayan City;  

To the Association of Local Budget Officers Inc.-Cagayan Chapter headed by President Jennelson Gorospe—thank you for being our incredible partner in this undertaking at dahil sa inyo, nakarating na rin po ang PFMCP dito;  

To our very own DBM Regional Office II, led by Acting Director Cherry W. Bravo and Acting Assistant Director Jose C. Pamittan, whose support has been invaluable to the success of this activity—maraming salamat po sa ibinigay ninyong oras at malasakit sa mga taga-DBM habang sila po ay nandiyan sa Cauayan;  

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

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. 

Naimbag nga bigat, Isabela!  

Before anything else, my profuse apologies for being unable to be with you today physically. I was already set to fly to Isabela but then just yesterday, I was called for an urgent meeting by the House of Representatives on the 2025 National Budget. And as you know, I am obligated to attend when Congress calls on us.  

I really wish I could be there with you today. That is why when I was told that maybe we can meet instead virtually—live via Zoom—I immediately said yes, especially when I heard that this is one of the biggest PFMCP turnouts with over 700 of you coming to Isabela! Maraming, maraming salamat po. 

I am so glad to be with all of you today—even virtually—in Cauayan City, the Ideal City of the North. I was also happy to learn—because digitalization is my advocacy—that this is the First Smart City in the Philippines! 

And I am so proud to also learn that last August, you received the Lunsod Lunsad Award, for the second time, for your creative and innovative approach to economic development. I am excited to see how your initiatives will boost your local economy while also showcasing your rich cultural heritage on a national level.   

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

For that, I would like to thank you and congratulate all of you for being part of this year’s Public Financial Management Competency Program (PFMCP) for Local Government Units (LGUs). 

As you may know, we at the Department of Budget and Management are persistently working hard to develop the capacities of our local PFM practitioners—because you are the frontliners in delivering quality services to the people we have sworn to serve.   

And I am proud to share that we have already capacitated almost 7,000 local PFM practitioners, and counting, nationwide. This is a testament to our commitment to ensuring inclusivity and empowering our local governments.  

Ultimately, our goal in PFMCP is to promote fiscal discipline, allocative efficiency, and operational efficiency in your respective localities. This is why our competency program is carefully designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills that will enable you to manage your resources effectively and efficiently.   

Our top-caliber subject matter experts have walked you through the seven (7) foundation courses covering the fundamentals of PFM, the budgeting process, and procurement process, among others.   

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

Alam n’yo po, unang araw ko pa lang po bilang Budget Secretary ay top priority ko na itong NGPA dahil isa ito sa mga susi sa pagsugpo ng korapsyon sa gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng digitalized, efficient, mas mabilis, at mas madaling maintidihan na procurement system. Kaya nagpapasalamant naman po ako sa ating GPPB-TSO, PS-DBM, our legal team, sa mga mambabatas na nag-sponsor sa batas na ito, at higit sa lahat, sa ating Pangulo dahil sinuportahan niya ito.  

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

With the NGPA, pwedeng 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 which we have institutionalized through the President’s issuance of Executive Order No. 31 last June 2023.  

Speaking of having an open government, I am also happy to share that we are now Number 1 in budget transparency not just 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 key budget documents that are open for public review and scrutiny. 

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

We are also reviving Project DIME or 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 LGUs 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 25, 2024.  

Under this budget, some Php 1.184¹ trillion has been allocated to our Local Government Units. Of this amount, Php 165² billion is allotted to Region II. On top of this, Region II will also receive some Php 52.4³ billion from the LGUs’ FY 2025 National Tax Allotment.  

And because we also want all our LGUs to help us develop a green economy, we will support local governments in building open spaces and infrastructure that promote active mobility through the Green Green Green Program with an allocation of Php 1.0 billion.  

In addition to our green reforms to support local governments, we have likewise initiated the Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting this fiscal year.  

The SAFPB aims to provide lagging municipalities with safely managed and resilient water supply and sanitation services. This program likewise incorporates our open government principles since civil society organizations themselves have helped identify the beneficiaries.  

We are glad to mention that several LGUs in this Region have been identified as beneficiaries, namely the Municipalities of Iguig and Santa Teresita in Cagayan, the Municipalities of Mallig and Santa Maria in Isabela, and the Municipality of Ambaguio of Nueva Vizcaya. 

As we fulfill the Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling which seeks to empower our LGUs, I hope we are successful in capacitating all our budget officers through the PFMCP. And I hope that all your budgets will be fully utilized para makamit natin ang tunay na Bago at Bonggang Pilipinas dito sa rehiyon at sa bawat LGU.   

Agyamanak, Cauayan City at sa buong Cagayan Valley! Mabuhay ang Pilipino at ang Bagong Pilipinas!  

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