The Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT) has lauded the open government practices of the Department of Budget and Management as a “prime example” of fiscal transparency in Asia.

In a news release on Wednesday, GIFT Network Director Juan Pablo Guerrero lauded Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman during their meeting in Washington, D.C. for ensuring that DBM is consistent with its agenda of “achieving transparency and participation with great resilience.”

Guerrero said the DBM remained committed to having an open budget in spite of changes in administrations through the years.

Pangandaman, for her part, reiterated the DBM’s commitment to transparency, which she noted as an essential component to building public trust.

“Transparency is key to building public trust. The DBM and GIFT will work closer together to ensure and elevate transparency efforts to make the Philippines a prime example of fiscal transparency not only in Asia but in the world,” Pangandaman said.

She also highlighted the efforts of the agency to push for more meaningful citizen participation in the budget process, as she sought for suggestions to enhance participatory budgeting.

During the meeting, the leaders also discussed ways to improve the ranking of the Philippines in the Open Budget Survey (OBS); formulate an Annual Physical Report which contains narrative and complete information on budget execution, detailing the performance of other implementing agencies of the government; and develop a Fiscal Transparency Portal.

Pangandaman is in Washington DC, along with other members of the Philippine economic team, for the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings and the 2nd Philippine Economic Briefing in the United States.

She was joined by DBM Undersecretaries Margaux Salcedo and Joselito Basilio.

The GIFT is a global network that facilitates dialogue between its stewards and partners from governments, civil society organizations, international financial institutions and other stakeholders to find and share solutions to challenges in fiscal transparency and participation. (PNA)