The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will conduct a series of roadshows on public financial management (PFM) to help budget officers learn proper fund management.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman made the announcement during her meeting with officers and members of the Association of Local Budget Officers (ALBO) in Batangas province on Friday.
Pangandaman said the DBM aims to equip new budget officers with the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their job, especially when it comes to managing the budget.
“Further, the roadshows will give proper guidance to budget officers for the proper interpretation of procurement laws, audit rules, and other pertinent policies,” the department said in a statement issued late Friday night.
During her meeting with the ALBO, Pangandaman acknowledged the budget officers’ crucial role in protecting public funds, as well as in executing the government’s programs and projects.
“Ako po, I always see to it po na makasama, makasalamuha ang ating mga (that I am able to meet with the) budget officers because of your important role po kasi po, ‘di ba, sa atin po ‘yung pera ng bayan na ating kailangang pangalagaan (because we have to protect the people’s money) and we have to implement ‘yung ating (our) projects as much as we can,” she said.
“Kami, in our own capacity, kasi may budget tayo, and may management din tayo. So ‘yung management side po ng DBM, ‘yan po ‘yung gusto nating palakasin (We, in our own capacity, have budget and need to ensure proper management. We want to strengthen the management side of the DBM).”
DBM Undersecretaries Wilford Will Wong and Goddes Hope O. Libiran, as well as DBM Region 4-A (Calabarzon) Director Nympha Manalastas, were also present during the meeting with the ALBO.
On May 30, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) 29, directing all government offices to adopt and implement an integrated financial management information system (IFMIS) in the processing of their transactions.
The directive contained in EO 29 covers all departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to strengthen the integration of PFM information systems and streamline processes.
The new order will pave the way for the full digitalization of PFM processes through the IFMIS.
According to EO 29, the full adoption of IFMIS would ensure strict compliance with existing appropriations laws, rules and regulations; improve treasury cash management; facilitate the generation of financial reports; and ease reportorial requirements from the various levels of government. (PNA)
