CAMIGUIN (PIA) — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman emphasized the crucial role of local budget officers in attaining the country’s development goals as she sought their support for the preparation and implementation of the National Budget for the fiscal year 2025.
“Inaasahan ko po ang inyong suporta at patuloy na pagtutulungan para mapabuti ang preparasyon at implementasyon ng ating pambansang budget. Sa ganitong paraan, masisiguro po nating naihahatid ng gobyerno ang mga serbisyo at proyektong nararapat para sa bawat mamamayan,” said Secretary Mina.
(I look forward to your support and continued cooperation to improve the preparation and implementation of our national budget. In this way, we can ensure that the government delivers the services and projects that are appropriate for every citizen.)
Mina made the call during the Mindanao League of Local Budget Officers Inc. (MLLBO) Annual Convention, themed “Better Public Financial and Administrative Management for a Better and Sustainable Mindanao,” held in Mambajao, Camiguin.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) on July 3, which amounts to P6.352 trillion. The proposed budget represents a 10.1 percent increase compared to the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) of P5.768 trillion.
Pangandaman emphasized that, as budget officers and public servants, each has a crucial role in achieving the country’s collective goals.
“As budget officers and public servants, you all have an important role to play in attaining our collective aspirations of a Bagong Pilipinas, where development is felt by all Filipinos,” Pangandaman emphasized.
The Budget Secretary also highlighted several milestones achieved by the department to further promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. These include the launch of Project DIME, or Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation, an interactive website where the public can view, monitor, and report on the progress of major government projects; the development of the Philippine PFM Reforms Roadmap 2024-2028; the implementation of the Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting; and the recent ratification of the New Government Procurement Act.
The MLLBO convention aimed to enhance the skills of local budget officers in Mindanao, highlighting the vital role of government officials, finance, and budget personnel in guaranteeing efficient public administration at the local governance level. (DBM/PIA-10/Camiguin)
