Following the successful launch of OGPinas! in Quezon City, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary and Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Chairperson Amenah F. Pangandaman led the Visayas leg of OGPinas!, an open government national advocacy campaign to strengthen public participation, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
Addressing the participants from regional offices of the national government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations (CSOs), and state universities and colleges (SUCs), Secretary Pangandaman explained the heart of the open government initiative.
“It is important for us at the national government and for the people we have sworn to serve that we are able to listen to their needs. In simplest terms, this is the Open Government Partnership,” the budget chief said during the program held at District 21 Hotel in Iloilo City on October 18, 2023.
Meanwhile, PH-OGP steering committee member and DILG Assistant Secretary Francisco R. Cruz urged the LGUs in Visayas to support the advocacy, emphasizing the need to capitalize on the strengths and innate efforts of Filipinos toward open government: “Bigyan natin ang mga mamamayan ng space na magsalita, ilabas ang mga hinaing at mga suhestiyon, bumalangkas kasama ng gobyerno ng mga programa at proyektong sila rin naman ang dapat makikinabang.”
Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul N. Banias, in his welcome message, expressed the strong commitment of Iloilo City to supporting the Philippine open government partnership (PH-OGP). He stressed that transparency, accountability, and good governance are not merely slogans or empty words in Iloilo but principles that they hold dear, under the leadership of Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.
In addition, Pagtambayayong - A Mutual Aid Foundation Executive Director and Kaabag sa Sugbo Foundation Inc. Chairperson Engr. Paula Godofreda B. Fernandez called on her fellow CSO representatives to continue organizing the constituency to demand good and open governance and empower community partners to enable meaningful participation in development co-creation. Engr. Fernandez also expressed her eager anticipation for the localization of the PH-OGP.
The OGPinas! Visayas Leg was well-attended by CSOs including the A2D Foundation, FCD Foundation Inc., Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation, Gawad Kalinga, Center for Empowerment and Development in Eastern Visayas, Visayas Save the Children, and Kabataan San Sidlangan Inc., among others.
DBM Undersecretaries Wilford Will L. Wong, Margaux V. Salcedo, and Goddes Hope O. Libiran; DBM Assistant Secretary Rolando U. Toledo; DBM RO VI Acting Assistant Director Atty. Mariel Dave M. Gallego; Municipality of San Roque Mayor Maria Ana G. Abalon; and NEDA Region VII Director Jennifer C. Bretaña also attended the program.
The OGPinas! Visayas leg was spearheaded by DBM Region VI - Western Visayas, in collaboration with the DILG Region VI and Philippine Information Agency Region VI. (DBM/PIA-Caraga)
