Tag: DBM

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Lacson Pushes Budget Reforms to Ensure Transparency, Alignment, Realistic Execution

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday renewed his push for reforms that would enhance transparency in government spending, alignment between the national government and local government units (LGUs), and flexibility for implementing projects, activities, and programs.

At the Senate finance committee’s hearing, Lacson raised major concerns that include the “disappearance” of the Unified Accounts Code Structure (UACS), the need to synchronize local development councils’ outputs with national budget calls, and limitations on unprogrammed appropriations.

Lacson, a watchdog of the national budget, pushed for the strict implementation of the UACS system used to track the projects for funding in the budget bill, noting that the UACS would disappear once the National Expenditure Program (NEP) is transformed into the House and Senate versions or authorization phase of the budget cycle – then reappear on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)’s website during implementation of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang Reporma sa Badyet para sa Transparency, Pagkakaugnay, at Realistic na Pagpapatupad

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Towards transparency: Implementing a digital tracking system for the national budget [BusinessMirror]

From BusinessMirror’s editorial: Senator Lacson’s push for digital tracking offers hope in the fight against corruption. As citizens, we have a duty to back these efforts and insist on accountability, because a government of the people should always be a government that serves the people.

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Lacson: Congress Can’t Return NEP to Palace, But Smarter Option Available

The House of Representatives cannot return the National Expenditure Program for 2026 to Malacanang over the “mangled” entries there, but there is a better option available, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) can submit errata sheets through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for Congress’ consideration.

“BUDGET 101: Congress cannot return the NEP to Malacañang since it is only a budget proposal, not an Enrolled Bill for approval or line-item veto by the President. However, the DPWH through the DBM may submit errata sheets but it is up to Congress to adopt such ‘errata’ or not,” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Hindi Pwedeng Ibalik ng Kongreso ang NEP sa Malacañang, Pero May Mas Mainam na Hakbang

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Lacson Backs DBM Budget Transparency Efforts, Pushes Stronger Digital Tracking

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson voiced support for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)’s platform to make the national budget transparent and accessible to the public, even as he offered suggestions to strengthen them.

Lacson, an eagle-eyed watchdog of the national budget, particularly inquired on whether the DBM has the technology to track changes in the crafting of the national budget, including proponents of amendments.

“Is there any current technology available to keep your system transparent yet secure, to enable us in both houses of Congress to track movements of the budget, from what is provided by the National Expenditure Program and going forward, to track who proposed which amendments to the General Appropriations Act?” he said in a mix of English and FIlipino at the briefing of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

In Filipino: Lacson Suporta ang Inisyatiba ng DBM para sa Budget Transparency, Itinulak ang Mas Malakas na Digital Tracking

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Lacson to Executive Branch: Protect Education Sector’s Budget, Uphold the Constitution

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson pressed the Executive Department Monday to guard the education sector’s budget from a repeat of last year’s congressional “miracle” where it was overtaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in violation of the Constitution.

Lacson warned the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) not to become an “accessory” again to the potential violation of the 1987 Constitution.

“You need to remind legislators not to realign too much because we may be violating the Constitution. When you potentially violate the Constitution, that’s a major, major, major issue,” he told Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman in Filipino, at the briefing by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

In Filipino: Lacson sa Ehekutibo: Protektahan ang Badyet ng Edukasyon, Panindigan ang Konstitusyon

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