BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – – The national government, through the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH – OGP) national advocacy campaign, strengthens its call for the participation of local government units and all sectors of society to support open and participatory governance towards a better Philippines and the “Bagong Pilipinas” that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. envisions.
The Department of Budget and Management, the Department of the Interior and Local Government(DILG) and the Philippine Information Agency, on Tuesday (November 7) brought the PH – OGP national advocacy dubbed as “OGPinas” to officials and representatives of national government agencies, local government units and civil society organizations from Regions I, II, III and the Cordillera Administrative Region at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.
PH – OGP Steering Committee Chairperson and DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, in her video message, outlined that the Philippines is one of the eight countries around the world that founded the OGP campaign.
Under the administration of Pres. Marcos Jr. , the PH – OGP has been institutionalized through Executive Order No. 31 signed in June 2023.
“With this EO, all branches of government, despite being independent of each other, are now working closely to synchronize and complement our open government initiatives”, Pangandaman said.
“We are also integrating open government vertically, and bring PH – OGP to the local government through OGPinas! Gusto po sana natin na hindi lamang sa national level, kundi pati na rin sa bawat local government maisulong ang adbokasiyang ito”, she added.
The DBM Secretary also called on every Filipino hoping for a better Philippines to join the government in ensuring good and participatory governance.
“So whether you are a government employee desiring better governance, student leader hoping for better education for all, a civil society member seeking better public service or a citizen dreaming for a better Philippines – whatever your purpose may be for participating today, each and every one of you has a voice in today’s discussion and will all be heard. Dahil bawat isa po sa atin ay susi sa bukas na kinabukasan”, Pangandaman stressed.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a strong advocate of good governance, praised the OGPinas! campaign of the national government.
“The OGPinas advocacy is a platform for collaboration, unity and collective action. It’s a call for every citizen, every community, and every political leader to take a stand and be a force for positive change. This advocacy is about recognizing the importance of transparency, accountability and good governance in all aspects of our lives.”
PIA – CAR Regional Director Helen Tibaldo, DBM USEC Ronado Toledo, DILG USEC Marlo Iringan and CSO Representative Ian Jayson Jecita (left to right) give information and answer querries on the PH – OGP National Advocacy during the open forum. (CCD/PIA CAR)
“This advocacy represents the embodiment of what we can achieve when citizens and government collaborate towards a common goal: a government that truly serves the people”, he stressed.
For the OGPinas! Event in Baguio, DILG USecMarlo Iringan and Department of Environment and Natural Resources USEC Jonas Leones also gave messages representing their respective departments’ as PH-OGP Steering Committee members.
Iringan was joined by PH – OGP Secretariat Head and DBM USEC Rolando Toledo and PH – OGP CSO Steering Committee Representative Ian Jayson Jecita during the open forum.
The event dignitaries and participants were also enjoined in an oath and signing of pledge of commitment to support the national advocacy . There was also a workshop wherein the outputs will be considered for the drafting of the sixth national action plan for the PH – OGP. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
PH – OGP Steering Committee Chairperson and DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman calls for a whole – of nation – approach in ensuring good and participatory governance in the country and even down to every local community. (CCD/PIA CAR)
PH – OGP convenors and OGPinas Luzon Leg participants signing the pledge to open governance. (CCD/PIA CAR)
