Group calls for transparency in 2024 budget proceedings

Sen. Sonny Angara, chair of the finance committee, leads the Senate discussion on House Bill No. 8980, the General Appropriations Act of 2024. (Mark Pimentel/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — An advocacy group has urged for transparency and accountability in the bicameral proceedings of the 2024 National Budget.

Social Watch Philippines highlighted that the closed-door meetings of the Bicameral Conference Committee could lead to suspicions, which could be alleviated by making the meetings public.

“The non-transparent nature of the Bicameral Conference Committee meetings may make it vulnerable to all sorts of deals, including unprincipled transactions and horse trading, suspicions which can easily be dispelled if the meetings were open to the public,” SWP said in a statement on Saturday.

The Senate passed the 2024 national budget, totaling P5.79 trillion, on Tuesday.

“While timeliness is important, the content of what is being approved is also paramount,” said Maria Raquiza, co-convenor of Social Watch Philippines.

Citizens’ groups concerned about reduced funding for essential programs for disadvantaged and environmentally-focused initiatives worry that the private nature of the Bicameral Conference Committee’s meetings might result in cuts to social and environmental budgets, previously settled in House and Senate hearings, Raquiza said.

SWP also called on the government to ensure the budgeting process is transparent, allowing citizens to monitor public fund allocation.

“As such, we urge the Bicameral Conference Committee to open the process to broad public scrutiny so that ordinary citizens can monitor how their money—public funds—will be spent,” Raquiza said.

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