The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has taken a groundbreaking step by inviting civil society organizations (CSOs) to observe its Technical Budget Hearings (TBHs) for the first time.
This initiative aims to enhance transparency in the preparation of the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), which forms the basis for the national budget.
The hearings for the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were held on May 7, with sessions for the Department of Justice, Department of Health, and Department of the Interior and Local Government scheduled for May 11 to May 13.
Opening the technical budget hearings on a pilot basis is a commendable and necessary first step toward genuine budget transparency.
Ma. Victoria Raquiza, Social Watch Philippines
Social Watch Philippines (SWP), a budget watchdog, praised this decision, viewing it as a continuation of efforts to make budget deliberations more open and accountable.
In previous years, critical phases of budget preparation were conducted behind closed doors, resulting in concerns over how effectively public funds were allocated.
Raquiza emphasized that transparency should begin at the outset of the budgeting process, not just during congressional deliberations.
SWP has urged the DBM to sustain this practice and to improve transparency measures, including making budget documents accessible in machine-readable formats.
The inclusion of CSOs in the budget process is seen as a vital opportunity to rebuild public trust following recent controversies over budget allocations.
Discussions on enhancing and maintaining open TBHs are also anticipated between the DBM and CSO representatives.