DBM CITES 4 LGUS ON JOINING GLOBAL INITIATIVE ON TRANSPARENCY

Four local government units in the Philippines have been accepted into the Open Government Partnership, a global initiative promoting transparency, fighting graft, and improving governance in both the national and sub-national levels.

In a statement, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman congratulated Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Larena town in Siquijor, Quezon City, and Baguio City for their inclusion in the OGP.

They join South Cotabato province which was accepted into the OGP in 2018, and Borongan City in Eastern Samar which was included in 2020.

Pangandaman said OGP's presence now spans NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, "empowering civil society across the archipelago.”

"We extend a warm welcome to Tagbilaran, Larena, Quezon City and Baguio. This marks a significant stride toward transparent and accountable governance,” said Pangandaman, chairperson of the OGP in the Philippines.

“I eagerly anticipate our collaborative efforts to promote openness, transparency, and accountability," she added.

The Philippines stands among the eight founding nations of the OGP, alongside Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 

Since 2016, the OGP Local Program has extended membership to local governments, enabling initiatives aligned with OGP values that resonate more intimately with the public.

Membership in the OGP provides a platform for civil society to engage in local planning and development, ultimately enhancing service delivery by LGUs.

Pangandaman stressed the importance of the institutionalization of OGP through the groundbreaking Executive Order No. 31, s. 2023, championed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., providing a framework for embedding open government principles across all government branches.

"As PH-OGP Chair, we advocate for increased LGU participation in the partnership, reinforcing our commitment to its principles," Pangandaman said, heralding a new era of participatory governance across the Philippines. —NB, GMA Integrated News

This article DBM cites 4 LGUs on joining global initiative on transparency was originally published in GMA News Online.

2024-04-29T19:10:33Z dg43tfdfdgfd