Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) keynoted the launch of the Philippine Open Government Partnership in Cotabato City on Jan. 24, as she campaigned for the institutionalization of OGPinas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which will involve the participation of civil society organizations in the creation of a high-level communication line anchored on the values of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Budget and Management)
COTABATO CITY (PIA) -- Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman urged local government units (LGU) and civil society organizations (CSO) to uphold open and good governance in the Bangsamoro region.
The secretary led the launch of the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) campaign, known as OGPinas in this city, on Jan. 24 to establish a line of communication that would allow the government to respond effectively and efficiently to the needs of its constituents.
“We must make the call for open government and good governance stronger and louder here in Mindanao and in BARMM. Marami na po tayong pinagdaanan para makamit ang kapayapaang ating tinatamasa sa kasalukuyan,” she stressed.
Pangandaman also encouraged everyone to empower others through the platform, believing that it can help achieve the desired changes towards lasting peace and prosperity in Mindanao, particularly in BARMM.
In her keynote message, she pointed out that with the institutionalization of the OGP through Executive Order No. 31 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in June, all branches of government will be supportive as they are already on board.
“This is what Bagong Pilipinas is all about—the new tagline of the administration—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 for everyone, including future generations,” Pangandaman explained.
The official also emphasized that the OGPinas is for everyone to have a dialogue and work together towards transforming Mindanao from a land of promise to a land of promises fulfilled.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, during the launch of the OGPinas campaign in Cotabato City, signed the pledge of commitment in support of the implementation of open governance in the Bangsamoro region. (Photo courtesy of the Bangsamoro Information Office)
Meanwhile, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim cited some of the concrete examples of BARMM programs related to OGPinas.
Conveying his full support, Ebrahim also mentioned that the Bangsamoro government is practicing open governance through the implementation of the Community Monitoring and Actionable Tracking System, or CM-ACTS application, which serves as a vital channel for receiving feedback directly from the community.
“As we launch the national government’s OGPinas, let us also renew our commitment to promoting transparency and accountability to empower the Bangsamoro people,” Ebrahim said.
He also expressed optimism that the Open Government principles will be embedded in every barangay, every municipality, in every city, and in all provinces of the region.
The launch of OGPinas in the Bangsamoro region was also in partnership with BARMM’s Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), and the Bangsamoro Information Office. (LTB – PIA Cotabato City)
