MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. will prioritize budget reform and the digitalization of public financial management, its new chief Amenah Pangandaman said.
Pangandaman said budget reform and digitalization will be institutionalized for efficiency, transparency, and to prevent corrupt practices in the country.
“Budget reform is still my top priority. Part of this reform is the evaluation and streamlining of the Procurement Service. This is to ensure proper oversight and stricter controls to safeguard the integrity of the procurement process,” Pangandaman said in a turnover ceremony on Wednesday.
With regards to the digitalization of the country’s public financial management, Pangandaman promised to continue the agency’s efforts in strengthening it.
“We’ve made headway with our Budget and Treasury Management System (BTMS), but there is so much more we can do to further strengthen our integrated financial management information system (IFMIS),” she said.
Moreover, Pangandaman assured that the project, activities, and programs of the government will reach every Filipino.
“We will maximize the limited space and prioritize President Bongbong Marcos’ food sufficiency, infrastructure, and climate change goals,” Pangandaman said, referring to her plans for the economy.
Earlier, Pangandaman said the President has instructed her to make sure that his priority programs and projects are included in the 2023 National Expenditure Program.
“I aspire to draft and implement a budget that will promote a broad-based and inclusive economic recovery and growth,” Pangandaman earlier said.
READ: Agri, economic recovery programs top priorities in Marcos 2023 budget
Former DBM officer-in-charge secretary Tina Rose Marie Canda, who officiated the turnover ceremony along with other DBM senior officials, revealed that Pangandaman is not a stranger to the agency.
“Sec Mina’s coming [to DBM] is an answered prayer. She’s not a stranger to us. She used to be a member of our family, and now she came back to be the head of our family,” Canada said.
Pangandaman served in the agency as an Undersecretary and Functional Group Head of the Office of the Secretary under former DBM chief Benjamin Diokno. – Nicole Faye Agcaoili, INQUIRER.net intern