Over 600 budget officers capacitated on public financial management
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in partnership with the Association of Local Budget Officers - Central Visayas Inc. (ALBOCV) has successfully conducted the Public Financial Management (PFM) Competency Program for local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas from February 19 to 21, 2024 at the Bai Hotel, Mandaue City.
More than 600 local budget
officers from the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor; City
of Cebu, City of Mandaue and City of Lapu-Lapu; and from other cities and
municipalities in Region VII were engaged to deepen their knowledge and strengthen
their capabilities in all stages of the PFM process—from
budget preparation and procurement to budget implementation and accountability.
During her keynote message,
DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman emphasized that the PFMCP will not only
assist LGUs in budgeting their local finances on the right priorities, but also
on managing their budget wisely and within their means.
“I cannot emphasize enough
the crucial role of PFM practitioners in bridging the needs of our fellow
Filipinos and the government's responses, especially in crafting a truly
inclusive and people-centered budget. And this is what the Bagong Pilipinas is
all about—shaping a government that is truly responsive to the needs of the
people; one that is visionary and accountable to its constituents; and one that
fulfills its promise of prosperity for everyone. Our growth and prosperity will
never be truly inclusive without our local governments,” Sec. Pangandaman said.
The PFMCP for LGUs covered
sessions on maintaining PFM understanding, principles of internal controls and
internal audit, relationship management, budget preparation, Budget
Authorization and Review, Budget Execution and Accountability, and Procurement.
The conduct of the PFMCP for
LGUs is aligned with the DBM’s commitment to improving the government’s
spending efficiency by encouraging LGUs to practice sound and efficient fiscal
management in utilizing their resources, and ultimately, promote the timely and
effective implementation of local programs and projects aimed at reducing
poverty rates; providing more quality jobs; increasing infrastructure and human
capital investments and building a resilient and prosperous economy.
The budget secretary was
warmly welcomed by the local chief executives of Cebu led by President of the
League of Mayors and City of Cebu Mayor Michael Rama and ALBOCV President
Samuel Penales.
Also present were DBM Undersecretaries Wilford Will L. Wong and Margaux V. Salcedo, Regional Office VII Director Lenin S. Bernales and Assistant Director Maricor U. Baquial, Systems Productivity and Improvement Bureau Director John Aries S. Macaspac and Local Government and Regional Coordination Bureau Director Ryan S. Lita; and Government Procurement Policy Board Technical Support Office Executive Director Rowena Candice M. Ruiz. (DBM/PIA Caraga)
