I am deeply honored to address you tonight as Head of the Philippine Delegation. I am from a small city called Marawi in Mindanao where girls had difficulty accessing education, and women lacked access to health care, jobs, and other opportunities. So while I also proudly stand before you today as the only Filipina Muslim in the Cabinet and the only female member of the Philippine Economic Team, I also stand here representing all the women in the Philippines, and the world, whose rights we must protect and promote.

It is also a privilege for me to continue the mission of the great women who walked this path before me.

- In 1948, during the drafting of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948, the Philippines already strongly advocated for equality between men and women;

- In 1979, at the 34th session of the UN General Assembly, the Philippines—a Filipino diplomat and senator—prepared the zero draft of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. The Philippines, alongside your countries, pushed for this treaty to be adopted;

- CSW serves as a platform for us to be visionaries. At CSW55 in 2011, the Philippines called for the adoption of a resolution that mainstreamed the gender agenda in climate change policies and strategies and the recognition of the differentiated impact of environmental crises, at a time when these issues were still far from mainstream consciousness; and

- CSW impels us to reach consensus through the power of dialogue. At CSW57, the Philippines chaired the negotiations on the Agreed Conclusion which focused on eliminating violence and discrimination against women and girls. This was a significant achievement because ten years prior, the Commission failed to come to a consensus on the same theme.

In the next two weeks, we will reaffirm the power of multilateralism—global voices to bring hope, change, and impact for women and girls in every corner of the world. We are at a crucial juncture.

Almost 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, our world is facing multiple, converging crises. Skyrocketing cost-of-living across the globe, food insecurity, violent conflicts, a rollback in human rights and democracy, the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change, among others, pose significant challenges for women all over the world. Care work remains undervalued and unequally distributed. Violence against women, sexual harassment, and systemic discrimination continue to undermine women’s ability to fully participate in society.

This year’s theme highlights how women’s poverty hinders the full realization of gender equality, and how stronger institutions and financing with a gendered perspective can address this.

This thematic focus aligns well with the Philippines’ implementation of gender mainstreaming and gender-responsive budgeting, as mandated in national laws such as Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, as well as our national strategies, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Plan for 2019-2025.

Accordingly, we place high priority on the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women, inclusivity, respect for human rights, and innovation. Allow me to highlight some of our key programs that strengthen institutions and financing for Women.

In 1995, we introduced the “Women’s Budget” or the Gender and Development Budget in our General Appropriations Act, which defines the annual expenditure program of the government. This policy directs all government departments and agencies to allocate a minimum of five percent of their total annual budgets for gender programs, projects, and activities.

The Philippines, being one of the eight founding members of the Open Government Partnership or OGP, remains deeply committed to transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and civic participation. We just finished our 6th National Action Plan which seeks to improve the responsiveness of our public institutions to the needs of our citizens through public participation and achieve transparency in the use of government resources.

We are also working hand in hand with civil society to achieve gender equality and women empowerment. Most recently, we have broadened the Philippine OGP Steering Committee Membership to include a seat for a women’s sector representative to ensure the integration of the perspectives and voices of women in open government initiatives. And even better, she is now my Co-Chair for Civil Society.

In the area of peace and security, the Philippines steadfastly champions the full and meaningful participation of women. In the video address that we just saw, President Marcos paid tribute to our valiant female revolutionaries who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts in our struggle for independence.

As a proud daughter of Mindanao in southern Philippines and Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Body, representing the National Government in continuous dialogue with the ministers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the participation of women in peace and security efforts, especially in Mindanao, means a lot to me.

As we work hard to ensure lasting peace and economic development in BARMM, it is worthwhile to look back and note that the peace efforts achieved success because of the participation of women.

In one of the rarest feats anywhere in the world, the government negotiating team was led by a woman, Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer. As we mark the tenth anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro this coming March 27, we also celebrate the Bangsamoro Women Commission, established through the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which integrates gender initiatives into the Region’s Priority Agenda. This is the vehicle by which we will ensure the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in decision-making at all levels of governance in BARMM.

Taking forward the Philippines’ commitment to the global Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, I am proud to announce that the Philippines will host an International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security in Manila in October of this year.

In light of the upcoming 25th anniversary of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution No. 1325 next year, this conference in Manila will serve as an international stocktaking on the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda and

will highlight the power of inter-regional networks for sharing experiences, expertise and best practices in addressing challenges to meaningful engagement of women in peacebuilding. I invite your countries to participate in this conference.

With our stewardship of the peace in Mindanao, which offers lessons for inclusive peacemaking, and our role as a bridgebuilder in various multilateral fora, the Philippines will sustain its commitment as a pathfinder, partner, and peacemaker in the global community.

Our unwavering commitment to multilateralism is fully expressed in our bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2027-2028, which President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared in his address before the General Assembly in September 2022. Once elected, we will serve our duty with a deep dedication to a peaceful, just, and equitable international order that is key to the flourishing of each of our nation’s aspirations for our peoples.

Excellencies, distinguished guests,

Our gathering this evening sends a powerful signal about our profound dedication to women.

We invite all member states and stakeholders to participate in constructive dialogue and foster collaboration for synergy and impact. Our goal is to emerge with agreed conclusions and concrete actions that will propel us forward in achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls across the world.

Thank you and Mabuhay!

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

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

To the Local Government of Albay, the Budget Officer representing Governor Edcel Grex Lagman, and City of Legazpi Vice Mayor Oscar Robert Cristobal, maraming salamat po sa mainit na pagtanggap sa amin sa Department of Budget and Management (DBM);

To the Association of Local Budget Officers in Region V Inc. (ALBOREV) headed by President Henry Quiñones;

To my DBM colleagues, most especially to the DBM-Regional Office V led by Regional Director Antonio Villanueva Jr. whose support has been invaluable to the success of this activity. Maraming salamat po sa ibinigay ninyong oras for public service.

To our local budget officers and Public Financial Management (PFM) practitioners; and all our participants, Marhay na aga po sa gabos! (Good morning to everyone!).

Before anything else, nais ko pong batiin ang lahat ng magayong kababaihang naririto ngayon ng Happy Women’s Month! Saludo po ako sa inyo at ako po ay lubos na natutuwang makita na napakarami po nating female budget officers at PFM practitioners dahil naniniwala po ako sa kagalingan ng kababaihan sa pag budget. Siyempre kasama na ako doon.

Likewise, I am so excited to be here in Legazpi. It is actually my first time here at ito raw po ang City of Fun and Adventure! Mamaya po, we will visit the Cagsawa Ruins. At alam niyo po, mahilig ako sa maanghang na pagkain kaya magkakasundo po tayo at excited na akong makatikim ng totoong Pinangat, pati na rin ang inyong nag-iisang Sili Ice Cream! Kaya salamat po sa PFMCP at sa PHILLBO, makukumpleto ko po ang sa Bicolandia bucketlist ko!

Pero ngayon, trabaho po muna tayo. And so, first, allow me to sincerely thank all of you for taking the time to join our PFMCP despite your busy schedules. Through your participation in this program, I see how you value PFM and how eager you are to contribute to achieving our nation’s goals through proper budget and management. It truly warms my heart to see such an astounding number of enthusiastic participants for the PFMCP for LGUs here in Legazpi City.

As you may know, we, at the DBM, are persistently working hard toward enhancing our PFM system. Part of our efforts to do so involves developing the capacities of our PFM practitioners—as you are the front liners in delivering quality services to the people we have sworn to serve. And I am proud to share that we have already empowered more than 4,500 PFM practitioners—and counting—nationwide, since our program started.

I cannot emphasize enough the crucial role of PFM practitioners in bridging the needs of our fellow Filipinos and the government's responses, especially in crafting a truly inclusive and people-centered budget. And this is what the Bagong Pilipinas is all about—shaping a government that is truly responsive to the needs of the people; one that is visionary and accountable to its constituents; and one that fulfills its promise of prosperity to everyone. Our growth and prosperity will never be truly inclusive without our local governments.  

Kaya naman kami po ay nagsumikap na buuin ang PFM Competency Program na ito, kasama ang PHILLBO, na targeted at nakatuon lamang sa ating mga LGUs. Covering topics on budgeting, procurement, cash management, accounting, even auditing and contract management, we have specifically designed this training program for LGUs to deepen your knowledge of PFM with the ultimate objective of promoting good governance, financial accountability, and effective resource management in your respective localities.

And so we hope that this program will assist you in fully utilizing your respective National Tax Allotment, among other budget allocations. We want to ensure better and strategic planning as we strive to improve our processes for budget preparation and budget execution. That is why in the past two days, you were given updates and information under the Foundation and Budgeting Tracks.

Meanwhile, we are fortunate to have PS-DBM Executive Director Atty. Dennis Santiago and GPPB-TSO Executive Director Rowena Candice Ruiz to discuss procurement. Napaka-importante po ng procurement track na ito dahil kailangang makabisado ninyo ang procurement processes upang ma-improve ang inyong budget utilization. Kaya kahit po ang ating mahal na Pangulo, Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ay kinikilala ang kahalagahan ng procurement.

At dahil nais ng DBM na gawing mas efficient at mas transparent ang ating procurement, sinisikap po natin na magkaroon na ng new and improved Government Procurement Reform Act. And I am proud to report that House Bill No. 9648 or the New Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) has been passed in the House of Representatives and underwent third and final public hearing in the Senate on February 28, 2024.

More exciting news: gumawa na po ang PS-DBM ng e-marketplace! Ang e-marketplace ay parang Shopee o Lazada para sa  sistemang mas madali, mas mabilis, at mas masaya na ang procurement.

And because we want to be sustainable, we also have a Green Public Procurement Strategy. Sisiguruhin rin po natin ang reduced environmental impact ng ating mga procured goods at infrastructure projects.

Alongside our procurement wins, we have also ramped up our digital transformation, resulting in the full adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) through Executive Order No. 29. Through this, our PFM processes will be digitalized, with the Budget and Treasury Management System (BTMS) serving as a centralized database for all government financial operations.

We have also already started working on our budget for FY 2025. As you know, the FY 2024 budget was already signed into law by PBBM on December 20. This amounts to Php 5.768 trillion, wherein Php 1.004 trillion is allocated to Local Government Units. Of this amount, Php 52.36 billion is allotted for the development of Region V, including a total of Php 11.22 billion earmarked for Albay. So I hope that all these will be fully utilized para makita po natin ang kagandahan ng Bagong Pilipinas dito sa Bicol Region!

Makakaasa po kayo na mas pagbubutihin pa po namin sa DBM at sisiguruhin namin na ang National Budget ay tunay na para sa Pilipino, upang patuloy na maihatid ng ating gobyerno hindi lamang ang capacity-building kundi ang mga serbisyo at proyekto mismo na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga pinaglilingkuran.

This PFM Competency Program will help you create and execute the necessary Programs, Activities, and Projects that will make your respective LGUs thrive because ultimately, that is the wisdom of the Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling: to empower our LGUs to serve the people in your localities faster and better.

Kaya sama-sama po nating paigtingin at pagitingin ang ating mga LGUs sa pamamagitan ng wasto at tapat na pagsasagawa at paggamit ng ating mga budget tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas kung saan walang Pilipino ang maiiwanan, at kung saan ang gobyerno ay pinagkakatiwalaan ng mamamayan.

Together, let us secure a future-proof and sustainable economy to achieve our Agenda for Prosperity.

Maraming salamat po. Dios Mabalos, Albay!

Mabuhay po ang Region V! Mabuhay ang ating host city, Legazpi! Mabuhay ang Pilipino at ang Bagong Pilipinas.

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

My warmest greetings to our colleagues and fellow public servants from various government agencies.

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

I am honored and delighted to join the Procurement Service– Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) as it celebrates yet another milestone event for its stakeholders. On behalf of PS-DBM, led by Executive Director Atty. Dennis Santiago, allow me to extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to our dear client agencies, for your steadfast support and continued preference for PS-DBM as your trusted procurement partner.

This event’s theme, “ONE in Procurement and Service 2024: Transformative Public Service in the Digital Age,” speaks volumes about PS-DBM’s commitment to achieving the government’s Agenda for Prosperity, leveraging digitalization towards bureaucratic efficiency and improved public service delivery. As a testament to this, we are getting closer and closer to having a new and stronger Government Procurement Reform Act—one that is more attuned to the changing times and responsive to the evolving needs of our people. Just yesterday, we attended the third and last hearing for the new GRPA. I thank Executive Director Atty. Dennis Santiago for his invaluable support in advocating this vital legislation that will propel our procurement systems to the future–and of course, the PS-DBM family who are helping us make this happen.

The modernization of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System or PhilGEPS, for instance, is a truly significant step towards ensuring efficiency, transparency, and world-class quality in public procurement. We will even have an eMarketplace similar Shopee and Lazada, enabling our client agencies to purchase Common-use Supplies and Equipment or CSE in the comfort of their own offices and workstations. We will likewise expand the eMarketplace to include non-common-use supplies such as government vehicles—truly taking the Philippine procurement system to the next level!

And towards sustainability, we will also implement a Green Public Procurement Strategy to reduce the environmental impact of our procured goods and infrastructure projects.

If you will also recall, we signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Landbank of the Philippines in August last year to commence the Government Purchase Card (GPC) Program. The GPC is a credit card that will serve as an alternative payment solution for the procurement of goods and services by national government agencies, further streamlining and expediting the procurement process by eliminating procurement lead time, among others. This will be discussed in detail by our speaker from Landbank.

All of these wins are anchored on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas where the government is truly responsive to the needs of the people; accountable to its constituents; and fulfills its promise of prosperity to everyone. And we begin by reforming and digitalizing our procurement system so that the Filipino people will get the service that they desire and deserve.

Congratulations to PS-DBM and our beloved client agencies on the success of this event. United as One in Procurement and Service, may we never cease to work passionately in closing the gap between the government and the people we serve.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay po kayong lahat!

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

A pleasant afternoon to everyone joining us in this celebration of passion and dedication to service. 

Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

First, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to everyone who has made this event possible—the Systems and Productivity Improvement Bureau led by Assistant Secretary Clarito Alejandro D. Magsino and the entire SPIB staff; National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Alberto A. Bernardo and our recognized Resource Persons; and of course, our future resource persons whom we celebrate this afternoon. 

As you may all know, we are gathered here today for the Recognition Ceremony of our Resource Persons (RPs) on the National Guidelines on Internal Control Systems (NGICS) and the Revised Philippine Government Internal Audit Manual (RPGIAM). This entails that the candidates who have completed the first four phases of the Program will be conferred recognition and form part of the roster of our recognized RPs.

But of course, this Ceremony is also a gathering meant to recognize our achievements, and more importantly, the people behind them.

Looking back, we have a long list of accomplishments to be proud of and grateful for in the past year. Please allow me to enumerate some of them.

First, we have empowered a total of 508 internal audit practitioners hailing from 146 national government agencies, including GOCCs and SUCs, through the conduct of nine batches of the RPGIAM Capacity-Building Training.  

We have also engaged about 660 department secretaries, heads of agencies, board of directors/audit committee members, and other senior officials through four Executive Briefings on the NGICS and RPGIAM. 

Aside from these, we have conducted management briefings and awareness seminars tailored for requesting agencies, including the Cebu Port Authority, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the Department of Agriculture, the Philippine Coconut Authority, and the Department of Finance. 

Finally, through the Public Financial Management Competency Program for Local Government Units and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, we have capacitated more than 1,500 PFM practitioners in 2023, providing comprehensive insights into the principles and concepts of internal control and internal audit, among other PFM core areas.

We were able to achieve all of these because we are joined by very able and passionate individuals as our Resource Persons on the NGICS and the RPGIAM. 

And so, to our currently recognized RPs, thank you for your service and commitment to establishing a strong and responsive internal control system in the country. May this recognition bring you more inspiration to continue doing the great work that you are already doing.

And, to our newly recognized RPs, you have undergone a rigorous process to get to this point so you should all be proud of yourselves. I know that you have already brought significant changes to your organization, but now, you are bestowed with the opportunity to make an even greater impact on the country.

Sa lahat po ng naririto ngayong araw, taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat at sumasaludo sa inyo. Kayo po ang dahilan kung bakit tayo ay patuloy na nakapagbibigay ng capacity-building at technical assistance sa ating mga kapwa lingkod-bayan upang mapabuti po natin ang ating mga serbisyo publiko. Sana po ay patuloy ninyo kaming samahan at suportahan na lalo pa nating pagandahin ang ating internal audit and control culture sa bansa.

Let us always keep in mind that while we come from different backgrounds, we are bound by a common purpose: to forward an excellent internal audit and internal control culture in the country that will pave the way for better public service, ultimately uplifting the quality of life of our fellow Filipinos. 

To end, allow me to quote former U.S. President John F. Kennedy: “Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others…he sends forth a ripple of hope.” Relatedly, I believe that each of us in this room is a force that creates ripples of change—one employee, one office, and one institution at a time. And I am confident that, collectively, these ripples will become waves of transformational change for the nation and our fellow Filipinos, tungo po sa Bagong Pilipinas, kung saan ang gobyerno ay tumutugon sa tunay na pangangailangan ng mamamayan.

Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay po tayong lahat! Again, congratulations!

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