DBM starts preparation for next year’s budget

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) started its budget preparation process for next year with a Budget Forum held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

In his opening remarks, Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno emphasized the importance of the budget call for 2018 as it will “put flesh and blood to the 0+10-Point Socioeconomic Agenda” of the Duterte Administration.

Furthermore, he reminded the DBM that the end goal of the budget call is to fulfill the appropriate role of government, and ultimately, serve the Filipino people.

Hence, “the 2018 national budget should contain the narrative of our citizens,” he said.

The guidelines on budget preparation were also discussed. Salient points include increased utilization of technology to better track and prepare the budget, further disaggregation of lump sums for transparency and informed policy-making, and the prioritization of infrastructure projects for new programs to be proposed in the agency budgets.