Philippine Open Government Partnership

𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦! 🤝🏛️

The Department of Budget and Management,through its Regional Office III and the Philippine Open Government Partnership, introduces 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗦𝗢𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗚𝗨𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, a Regional Open Government Reform Program that strengthens collaboration between citizens and government to promote transparency, accountability, and meaningful participation in local governance.

💡 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀
The Project aims to strengthen transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and public trust in local governance across Central Luzon. The initiative seeks to empower Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Local Government Units (LGUs) to engage more meaningfully in public financial management and budget processes, improve the alignment between planning, budgeting, and implementation, and reinforce oversight and accountability mechanisms. Through stronger collaboration between government and citizens, the program promotes more responsive, inclusive, and citizen-centered governance that delivers better outcomes for communities.

🔍 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱?
Results from the Public Financial Management Assessment Tool (PFMAT) reveal persistent challenges in local public financial management systems. While mechanisms for citizen participation exist, engagement often remains limited, making it difficult for CSOs to influence decision-making, monitor government performance, and exercise effective oversight. At the same time, LGUs continue to face challenges related to weak planning-budget linkages, limited fiscal discipline, insufficient transparency, and accountability gaps that affect the quality of public service delivery and public trust.

🚀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
To address these challenges, the project will implement a two-track capacity development strategy. Selected CSOs from priority LGUs will participate in the CSO Academy, a structured learning program designed to strengthen leadership, governance, and social accountability competencies. Complementing this initiative, DBM Regional Office III and its civil society partners will conduct specialized training on the local budget process, equipping both CSOs and LGU representatives with practical knowledge on budgeting, procurement, monitoring, and participatory governance. Together, these interventions will strengthen collaboration and support more effective governance reforms.

👥 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿
At the heart of Open Governance in Action is the belief that citizens are essential partners in governance. By empowering CSOs to engage more meaningfully in planning, budgeting, and oversight processes, the project creates opportunities for communities to help shape government decisions, monitor public spending, and contribute to solutions that address local needs. Key civil society and community partners, including 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗮 𝗘𝘀𝗸𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗰. 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼, 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗻, play a vital role in advancing participatory governance and strengthening collaboration between citizens and government. Through stronger government-citizen partnerships, governance becomes more transparent, accountable, inclusive, and responsive to the people it serves.

𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗦, 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘, 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦!📊🤝

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), through its Regional Office II and the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), introduces 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗡 (𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗚𝗨 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗙𝗠 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆), a Regional Open Government Reform Program designed to strengthen evidence-based, participatory, and results-oriented local governance across the region.

💡 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗡?
Project ALIGN seeks to improve the quality and effectiveness of Public Financial Management (PFM) reforms among local government units (LGUs) in Region II. By ensuring that PFM assessments lead to meaningful governance improvements, the initiative aims to strengthen fiscal management systems, promote citizen participation in local planning, and support more responsive public service delivery.

🔍 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱?
While many LGUs consistently comply with the submission of PFM Assessment Reports and PFM Improvement Plans (PFMIPs), validation results from the Enhanced Public Financial Management Assessment Tool (ePFMAT) revealed that several LGUs continue to experience declining PFM performance. Many improvement plans contain generic and non-measurable interventions that do not adequately address identified governance and financial management challenges. As a result, opportunities to enhance fiscal accountability, improve planning, and increase citizen engagement are often left unrealized.

🚀𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
To address these gaps, Project ALIGN will implement a comprehensive capacity development program featuring a five-day training-workshop for LGU PFM Teams and Civil Society Organization (CSO) representatives. The program will combine technical learning on PFM assessment methodologies with hands-on workshops focused on developing results-oriented and indicator-based PFM Improvement Plans. Through a collaborative approach involving LGUs, CSOs, academe, DBM, and partner civil society organizations, the initiative will help local governments design actionable, measurable, and sustainable reform strategies that drive better governance outcomes while strengthening public awareness and citizen engagement.

👥 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿
Project ALIGN recognizes that effective governance reforms are most impactful when they are informed by the voices and needs of the people. By engaging citizens, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in the planning and reform process, the project promotes shared accountability and ensures that governance improvements are responsive to community priorities. Through stronger participation and evidence-based decision-making, citizens become active partners in shaping more transparent, accountable, and effective local governments. In support of these efforts, the 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 (𝗜-𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) serves as a key civil society partner, helping promote public awareness, strengthen citizen engagement, and amplify community voices to foster a more participatory and accountable governance ecosystem in Region II.

🌟 Stay tuned as we continue to showcase the Regional Open Government Reform Programs being championed by DBM Regional Offices across the country. More innovative and citizen-centered governance initiatives are coming soon!

𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘, 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗡-𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗!💻🌐

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), through its Regional Office I and the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), introduces 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦 (𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗼𝘀 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀’ 𝗘-𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀), a Regional Open Government Reform Program under the Alaminos Smart City Program that seeks to transform public service delivery through digital innovation and citizen-focused governance.

💡 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦?
Project ACCESS aims to strengthen good governance by improving the accessibility, efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness of government services through digital transformation. By creating a more connected and integrated service delivery system, the initiative empowers citizens to access government services more conveniently while supporting data-driven decision-making and greater public trust. Through collaboration among the City Government of Alaminos, DBM Region I, partner organizations, and community stakeholders, the project seeks to ensure that digital services are responsive to the diverse needs of the community.

🔍 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱?
Despite the presence of an internal database system, many residents still rely on manual and face-to-face transactions to access essential government services such as social welfare assistance, scholarship programs, and other local government interventions. This often results in processing delays, inconsistent service delivery, limited accessibility, and higher transaction costs for both citizens and government offices. As demand grows for faster, more transparent, and digital public services, the need for a modern and integrated solution has become increasingly important.

🚀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
To address these challenges, the City Government of Alaminos will develop and implement Project ACCESS, a centralized digital service portal that will serve as a one-stop platform for key government services. Through a phased digital transformation strategy, the project will standardize processes, integrate systems, automate transactions, and digitize service delivery. Supporting initiatives such as data governance policies, capacity-building programs for government personnel, and citizen feedback mechanisms will further enhance service quality and continuous improvement.

👥 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿
Project ACCESS is built on the principle that government services should be easy to access, responsive to community needs, and designed around the citizen experience. By providing a convenient digital gateway for public services and creating channels for citizen feedback, the project empowers residents to engage more effectively with their local government while ensuring that services are delivered efficiently, transparently, and equitably. In support of this citizen-centered approach, the initiative actively engages key sectoral and community partners, including the 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 (𝗕𝗛𝗪) 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝗣𝗪𝗗) 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, ensuring that digital services are inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse sectors of the community.

𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗔𝗣 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘! 🤝🏛️

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), through its National Capital Region - Regional Office, presents 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗽: 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, a Regional Open Government Reform Program that promotes more responsive, transparent, accountable, and value-for-money public procurement practices among local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region. Implemented in collaboration with partner civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Local Development Councils (LDCs) of LGUs, the initiative advances participatory governance by ensuring that citizens and stakeholders have a meaningful role in shaping procurement reforms.

💡 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀
The initiative seeks to strengthen procurement systems by improving compliance with procurement policies, enhancing responsiveness to stakeholder needs, and institutionalizing citizen participation in reviewing and improving public procurement processes. By bringing together government, civil society, academe, procurement institutions, and partner CSOs in the LDCs of LGUs, the project aims to build greater public trust and improve the delivery of essential government services.

🔍 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱?
Results of the FY 2025 Public Financial Management Assessment revealed procurement challenges among several LGUs, particularly in the procurement of Common-Use Supplies and Equipment (CSE) through the Procurement Service–DBM (PS-DBM). Despite existing policies, implementation gaps remain due to concerns on product availability, quality, and operational constraints. These challenges have created a disconnect between procurement policies and on-the-ground realities, highlighting the need for reforms informed by the experiences of both implementers and citizens.

🚀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Through the Project, DBM-NCR will convene LGUs, civil society organizations, academe, and PS-DBM in a series of focused group discussions and stakeholder consultations. These engagements will identify procurement bottlenecks, validate implementation issues, and gather practical recommendations from stakeholders. The insights generated will be consolidated into a citizen-driven policy position paper containing actionable recommendations to strengthen procurement policies and procedures.

👥 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿
At the heart of the initiative is the belief that citizens should have a voice in shaping how public resources are managed. By creating meaningful spaces for dialogue and collaboration, the project empowers citizens and stakeholders to contribute to procurement reforms, ensuring that public spending delivers greater value, responsiveness, and better outcomes for communities.

🌟 Stay tuned as we continue to feature the Regional Open Government Reform Programs being implemented by DBM Regional Offices nationwide. Discover how open government is transforming communities, strengthening democracy, and putting citizens at the heart of governance.

📢 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗼? 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻. 💭

Government is listening—and we want to hear your perspective.

The 6th PH-OGP National Action Plan (NAP) Midterm Refresh Narrative is now open for public feedback!

Over the past two years, government agencies and non-government stakeholders have worked together to implement commitments that promote transparency, accountability, public participation, and innovation in governance. Through the Midterm Refresh Process, Commitment Holders reflected on progress, identified challenges, and explored opportunities to strengthen these commitments in response to evolving governance priorities.

Now it's your turn to help shape the Narrative.

📝 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: https://tinyurl.com/y53je59x
💬 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: https://tinyurl.com/3bdtepy6
📅 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 26 June 2026

Your feedback will help ensure that the Narrative accurately reflects the progress, challenges, and lessons from implementing the 6th PH-OGP National Action Plan.

𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧 “𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔” 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗔! ⛰️✨

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), through its Cordillera Administrative Region Regional Office and the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), is advancing a nationwide portfolio of Regional Open Government Reform Programs designed to strengthen transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and public trust in governance.

Anchored on Public Financial Management (PFM) assessment results and implemented in partnership with civil society organizations, State Universities and Colleges, local governments, and other stakeholders, these initiatives aim to address governance challenges while expanding civic space, improving government responsiveness, and ensuring that public resources deliver meaningful outcomes for citizens.

🎯 Through the Regional Open Government Reform Program, DBM seeks to:
✅ Strengthen transparency and accountability in governance
✅ Expand citizen participation and civic engagement
✅ Promote responsive, effective, and collaborative governance

Today, we shine the spotlight on the Cordillera Administrative Region’s innovation in open government:

💡 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔?
Project MAILA is a Regional Open Government Reform Program that aims to strengthen results-oriented local governance by improving the utilization of public funds and enhancing the visibility of government performance across local government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera. By ensuring that budgets are translated into actual programs, projects, and services, the initiative helps communities experience the real benefits of public spending.

🔍 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱?
Despite approved budgets and released allotments, many LGUs continue to face challenges in budget ex*****on due to procurement delays, planning gaps, limited monitoring mechanisms, and the absence of real-time reporting systems. These challenges can slow project implementation and affect service delivery to communities.

🚀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
To address these governance gaps, DBM-CAR will develop and pilot a digital budget ex*****on monitoring platform featuring real-time dashboards, performance scorecards, and early warning systems. The platform will monitor budget utilization, procurement milestones, project implementation progress, and potential delays—enabling timely corrective actions and better decision-making.

👥 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿
Project MAILA is anchored on the principle that citizens should be able to see, understand, and experience the impact of government spending. Through data-driven monitoring, transparent reporting, and collaboration with civil society organizations and academic institutions, the project promotes a governance culture where public resources are transformed into visible and measurable outcomes that matter most to communities.

📍 The initiative will be piloted in the Municipality of Sablan, Benguet, in partnership with the Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values (CRFV), paving the way for stronger local governance and more responsive public service delivery across the Cordillera.

Good governance and good books have more in common than you'd think.

NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade and NBDB officials sat down with Director Glenn Q. Miranda of the Philippine Open Government Partnership Project Management Office (PH OGP-PMO) of the Department of Budget and Management last June 15. Director Miranda introduced the OGP, a global multi-stakeholder initiative working to make governments more transparent, accountable, and responsive, and walked the team through how the NBDB's existing programs already speak to those principles.

The invitation on the table: for the NBDB to formally join as a partner agency, bringing its work in industry development, stakeholder engagement, and reading advocacy into a broader national commitment to open, participatory governance.

A public that reads is a public that participates. The OGP and the NBDB, it turns out, have always been working toward the same kind of citizen.

: To strengthen citizen participation in governance and give communities a greater voice in government decision-making, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Regional Office V, in partnership with the Coalition for Bicol Development (CBD) and the Philippine Open Government Partnership, officially launched on June 4, 2026, in Legazpi City.

Project CINCO, which stands for CSOs INclusion and Collaboration Towards Open Government Partnership, seeks to empower Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to work more closely with Local Government Units (LGUs). It is also one of the 17 regional reform initiatives under the DBM Regional Open Government Reform Program.

The launch was led by DBM RO V Acting Regional Director Francis C. Bautista and PH-OGP Co-Chairperson Aurora R. Chavez-De Guzman, with the support of PH-OGP Project Management Office Director Atty. Glenn Q. Miranda and DILG Region V Director Atty. Arnaldo E. Escober.

The event underscored the important role of CSOs in connecting communities with local governments and advancing more transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance across the region.

One of the highlights of the launch was the Commitment-Setting Session, where representatives from government, civil society, academe, and grassroots organizations signed a Pledge of Commitment as a symbol of their shared support for open government principles. The activity was followed by a CBD-facilitated workshop on policy issues, governance challenges, and inclusive governance practices.

In support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s push for a more transparent, accountable, and participatory government, the successful launch of Project CINCO marks a significant step in advancing open government reforms and strengthening collaboration among government, civil society, and local communities in the Bicol Region.

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its GovLab under the COE-PSP PMO, and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), through the PH-OGP PMO, recently held exploratory discussions to identify opportunities for collaboration in advancing the Philippines' open government agenda and promoting a more transparent, innovative, and citizen-centered public sector.

As DAP GovLab continues to promote partnerships that drive public-sector innovation and productivity, government agencies interested in collaborating or accessing technical assistance may contact [email protected] or visit https://govlab.dap.edu.ph/ for more information.

Read more: https://bit.ly/DAPGovLabXDBM

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀.

Citizen participation plays a critical role in strengthening accountability and transparency in public financial management.

During the Open Budget Survey (OBS) 2025 Results Forum hosted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) through the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), Commission on Audit (COA) representative Ms. Maria Ramona Jimenez highlighted the importance of Citizen Participatory Audit (CPA) as a mechanism that brings civil society organizations, citizens, and non-state actors directly into the audit process.

Ms. Jimenez emphasized that effective accountability goes beyond institutional review and compliance. Through participatory auditing, citizens become active contributors in monitoring public programs and validating government performance, helping ensure that public resources are used efficiently and deliver meaningful results.

Her message reinforces a key principle of open government: transparency is most powerful when coupled with citizen engagement, transforming accountability from a government responsibility into a shared public endeavor.