MANILA – Senator Panfilo Lacson has filed a bill institutionalizing the direct participation of people’s organizations and non-government organizations in the preparation of the national budget bill.
Under Senate Bill 2219, civil society organizations such as NGOs and professional and faith-based groups can observe public consultations and submit position papers for the consideration of the national government agencies (NGAs) and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs).
Lacson said with the enactment of the bill, taxpayers themselves will soon serve as the biggest safeguard against pork barrel being sneaked into the national budget.
“Now is the time for Congress to recognize the importance of the direct participation by people’s organizations and non-government organizations in the budget deliberation,” he said.
Lacson noted the practice of legislature – civil society collaboration should be institutionalized in order to achieve a people-oriented budget as well as establish transparency and accountability in the budget process.
“The vital role it plays in the operations of our government, and ultimately in the life of every Filipino, demands that there should be mechanisms in place that will enable citizens to participate in the budget process so as to correct spending priorities and to ensure transparency in the appropriation of valuable taxpayers’ money,” he said.
He added that the budget process allows Filipinos to exercise their citizenship through the power to directly influence social and economic priorities. (GMA News)
