Press Release
February 22, 2011

SENATE PANEL WILL ENDORSE BILL MANDATING PEOPLE'S PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL, NAT'L BUDGETS

The Senate Finance Committee will recommend the approval of a measure seeking to institutionalize the participation of accredited non-government organizations and people's organizations in budget deliberations in the legislature and local government units.

Senator Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate panel, said the move is in line with the principle of transparency being promoted by the Aquino administration.

"It is important that we pass this proposed legislation to recognize the need for people's participation in the affairs of the state as enshrined in our Constitution," Drilon said Tuesday after a hearing on Senate Bill No. 2186 or the proposed People's Participation in Budget Deliberations Act.

The bill, authored by Senator Teofisto Guingona III, seeks to strengthen expenditure management and budget oversight.

Resource persons from various NGOs supported the move for a more proactive participation in the budget process.

Members of duly accredited NGOs and POs will be invited as resource persons during budget deliberations in accordance with the rules of the chamber, Drilon said.

There may be problems, however, if the participation will include the organizations' authority to ask questions to state agencies that are presenting their respective outlays, he added.

Another hearing will be called to clarify issues on accrediting organizations and in local government budget discussions.

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