The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) gathered key government officials and partners to drum up support for the country’s hosting of the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) on Feb. 5 to 7.

In a press gathering, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who also serves as OGP-Philippines co-chair, emphasized the country’s commitment to aligning national policies with open governance principles.

“Simula nang pagkatiwalaan ako ng Pangulo na mamuno sa DBM, isa na sa mga prayoridad natin ang pag-adjust ng ating national fiscal policies upang umayon sa mga prinsipyo ng open governance (Ever since the DBM was entrusted to me by the President, adjusting our national fiscal policies to fit the principles of open governance has become one of my priorities),” she said.

The APRM will bring together delegates, including heads of state, government officials, civil society leaders, and policymakers, to discuss best practices and innovative solutions to various challenges in governance in the Asia-Pacific region.

This will be the first time since the OGP’s founding in 2011 that the Philippines hosts the regional meeting.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who also attended the event, stressed the importance of a collaborative effort in advancing open government.

“Let me stress that the promotion of open government is not the responsibility of the government alone,” Bersamin said.

“It is equally part of a collective mission that demands the participation and collaboration of all stakeholders.”

The OGP is a multi-stakeholder initiative that includes 75 countries and 150 local governments, representing more than two billion people, and thousands of civil society organizations that advocate transparent, participatory, inclusive, and accountable governance.

To date, some 880 participants have already signified their intention to attend the gathering, of whom 359 are international delegates.

Pangandaman also invited the public to join a fun run to be held at the Quirino Grandstand on Jan. 26, which will serve as the OGP meet’s kickoff event.

The fun run will offer three distances with corresponding registration fees: 3 km. (PHP700); 5 km. (PHP800); and 10 km. (PHP1,000). Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross. (PNA)