Report Landmark Resolution: Public Access to Budget Process

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Photo courtesy of PhilStar

 

The Philippine Senate has taken a historic step towards enhancing government transparency by approving a resolution that mandates public access to all stages of the national budgeting process. This initiative aims to reshape how public funds are managed, tackling issues of opaqueness and ensuring that citizens are involved at every step.

 

On a landmark day for Philippine governance, the Senate unanimously passed Concurrent Resolution No. 4, a measure designed to revolutionise public participation in the national budget process. The resolution, aimed at the 2026 General Appropriations Act, insists on making the budget process as transparent as possible, with documents being readily accessible online and entire proceedings livestreamed for public viewing.

 

The adoption of this resolution marks a pivotal shift towards openness, an essential move to prevent any last-minute budget insertions that have previously evaded public scrutiny. By providing detailed public access to budget documents and processes, the Senate hopes to embed accountability at every level of government spending.

 

Yet, this resolution will only take effect with the concurrence of the House of Representatives. Once both chambers have agreed, key budget documents, from initial agency requests to the National Expenditure Program, and subsequent drafts and amendments, will be hosted on their respective websites. This will give citizens, civil society groups, and interested stakeholders a clear line of sight on how funds are allocated and modified throughout the budgeting cycle.

 

Importantly, the resolution introduces a detailed comparative matrix, highlighting changes across programmes, activities, and projects by comparing the original General Appropriations Bill, Senate amendments, and the final bicameral conference committee version. This matrix will act as a powerful tool for citizens to trace budget changes, ensuring full accountability and understanding of governmental financial decisions.

 

Documents will be made available in machine-readable formats, increasing accessibility and enabling tech-driven analysis by civil society organisations, academia, and the media. This format ensures not only transparency but also promotes informed debate and critique based on the data available.

 

In a similar spirit, the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, has introduced five reforms that aim to further open up the budgeting process. These reforms align with the ethos of transparency and accountability, promising a collaborative and scrutinised approach to the country's finances.

 

The first reform involves the removal of the "small committee," previously formed post-budget to incorporate last-minute amendments. By eliminating this committee, the House ensures that any changes are openly deliberated and subject to public input.

 

Secondly, the reconciliation meetings between the House and the Senate, where differing versions of the budget are aligned, will be accessible to the public and press. This openness in discussion is a dramatic departure from previous practices where such negotiations took place behind closed doors.

 

Moreover, the House intends to actively involve civil society, people’s organisations, and private sectors in budget hearings. This collaborative approach is designed to integrate diverse perspectives, ensuring that the budget reflects the needs and priorities of the wider community.

 

Strengthening oversight is another crucial element of the reform. By demanding timely reports from government agencies and tracking major projects in real time, the House hopes to maintain stringent checks on how funds are utilised.

 

Lastly, Romualdez emphasised the need to prioritise investments that have a direct impact on public welfare. With an eye on sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, education, health, and national safety, the reforms aim at directing funds toward areas with the greatest potential for societal benefit.

 

"This budget is not just a financial document; it is a reflection of our national priorities and a measure of our commitment to the Filipino people," Romualdez remarked, underlining the budget's role as a vision for national progress.

 

The reforms come in the context of a broader economic strategy. The proposed national budget stands at a towering 6.973 trillion Thai Baht for 2026, marking a 7.4% increase over the previous year’s 6.326 trillion Thai Baht allocation. This budget surge underscores the government's commitment to fuelling sectors crucial for continued economic momentum.

 

Of particular note is the focus on education, healthcare, social protection, and food security. These areas receive increased funding as part of a strategic push to sustain economic growth and improve quality of life. The alignment with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the overarching vision of President Marcos’s administration is clear, as they steer towards long-term national prosperity.

 

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman highlighted a significant milestone in education funding, as the allocation for basic and higher education meets the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) recommended spending target of at least 4% of GDP. At 1.224 trillion Thai Baht—16.6% of the total budget—this allocation even exceeds the UNESCO Education 2030 Framework's requirements and surpasses the global average of 14.2%.

 

To reinforce these reforms, hours after receiving the 2026 National Expenditure Program, the House leadership engaged with civil society organisations, fostering a participatory approach to budget planning. Representatives from various civic sectors, equipped with technical insights into governance and budgeting, are being encouraged to voice their perspectives and contribute to shaping a budget that reflects collective national goals.

 

Rep. Jude Acidre of the Tingog party-list, in an interview, stressed the importance of involving civil society in these discussions. Their technical understanding not only enriches the dialogue but ensures that diverse voices are heard in the policy-making process.

 

These combined efforts from both chambers of Congress signal a transformative moment in Filipino governance. By placing transparency, accountability, and public participation at the heart of the budget process, the Philippines is adopting international best practices and setting a new standard for fiscal governance.

 

As the reforms progress to implementation, the emphasis remains on ensuring that every step of the budgetary process is open, transparent, and inclusive. This represents a crucial step towards not only improving governance but also building public trust and confidence in governmental institutions.

 

With this new framework in place, the Philippine government aims to transform its budget into a tool for national advancement, inspiring future-ready generations and steering the nation towards its full potential. Through enhanced transparency, the path is cleared for a future where government actions are aligned with the aspirations of its people.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-08-14