Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has emphasized that open governance is not just an advocacy campaign but also a “cornerstone of a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines).”

She urged open governance champions to join the crusade for government transparency and stability to safeguard democratic values.

“We must safeguard the values of democracy that embody the power of the people: freedom of speech, public participation, and equality, among others,” Pangandaman said during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Open Government Week on Monday at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.

“As we kick off this year’s celebration, let us remember that open government is more than just a concept or a campaign; it is a movement. It is the cornerstone of our Bagong Pilipinas—a nation that thrives through transparent governance, accountable leadership, and active citizen participation,” she added.

Pangandaman, who also chairs the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), also vowed to push for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill into law.

She cited that the DBM conducted a series of roundtable discussions with the government, civil society organizations (CSOs), the academe, and the private sector to advance the passage of the FOI bill in the 20th Congress.

“With the steadfast support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., I am confident that we will soon pass our very own FOI law,” she said.

The DBM is working with the Presidential Communications Office to fine-tune the FOI bill’s salient provisions, which would be presented at the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting on May 26.

Pangandaman also highlighted the Philippines’ successful hosting of the East Asia and the Pacific International Public Procurement Conference in April, adding that the country also submitted the highest number of entries in Asia and the Pacific for the Open Gov Challenge.

The key developments are part of the advocacies that the government is pushing, together with the members of civil society, following the institutionalization of the PH-OGP through the issuance of Executive Order 31 signed by Marcos in June 2023.

PH-OGP is a multi-stakeholder partnership responsible for overseeing and implementing the country’s commitment to the OGP.

OGP Regional Lead for Asia and the Pacific Swati Mehta said institutionalizing the PH-OGP is “an important step” to ensure transparency, participation, and accountability in government.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also stressed the need for champions of local governance.

“People are searching for heroes, people are searching for better governance, people are searching for a better future. This is our call, this is our mission, and this is what local governance and open governance is all about,” Remulla said.

The Open Gov Week, which runs until May 23, involves a series of events, including forums, workshops, youth-led initiatives, and dialogues, bringing together key representatives from various government agencies, CSOs, the private sector, and the youth.

The week-long celebration aims to advance the values of transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and innovation in governance. (PNA)