The House of Representatives has endorsed for Senate approval a bill institutionalizing people’s participation in the annual budget process in Congress.
This after lawmakers, voting 200 affirmative, zero negative and without abstention, approved on third and final reading House Bill 7407 to institutionalize people’s participation in budget deliberations, and make the budgeting process more participatory through the involvement of grassroots organizations.
House Committee on People’s Participation Chairman Rep. Florida P. Robes of San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan, one of the authors of the bill, said the measure seeks to allow the exercise of the people’s right to participate in public decision-making and in the process, enhance accountability in the use of taxpayers’ money.
The annual budget deliberations are expected to begin this month in the House of Representatives.
Under the bill, accredited civil- society organizations (CSO) will be given a right to participate in the budget preparation of government agencies, including constitutional bodies and government-owned and -controlled corporations, similar to the rights accorded to NGOs in local development councils.
They shall also be entitled to notices of hearings and receive budget documents, as well as submit their own alternative budget proposals or position papers. They shall also have the right to observe the budget deliberations, including the bicameral conference committee meetings.
They shall also be allowed to participate as resource persons during budget deliberations in Congress.
In order to participate, people’s organizations (PO) need to be accredited by the respective offices they seek to represent. Any government officer or employee who restrains any CSO from participating in the process will be penalized with a suspension ranging from one month to six months or a fine of P30,000 to P100,000 or both.
“One of the critical aspects of the budget process that we are doing in Congress is to ensure its transparency and accountability. Providing for a mechanism to ensure that people’s organizations participate in the process and give them a voice on how public funds will be spent is a giant step towards ensuring that the budget we pass in Congress is not only transparent, accountable but also inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people,” said Robes.