MANILA, Philippines – Umaasa ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) na maipapasa na ng Kongreso ang kontrobersyal na Freedom of Information (FOI) at Budget Modernization bills.
“We’re looking forward to having the FOI law passed. With this administration, with the push from the executive, we are looking forward, we’ll have the Freedom of Information law,” sinabi ni DBM Assistant Secretary Rolando Toledo sa isang media forum nitong Martes, Hulyo 4.
“As far as FOI in local governments is concerned, there are already gains. Around 61 local budget issuances as far as Freedom of Information has been signed. It has been a law at the local government units already,” sinabi a ni Toledo.
Layon ng FOI na gawing mandato ang paglalabas sa public documents, habang ang Budget Modernization bill ay isang priority measure na naglalayong linawin ang proseso at regulasyon sa paghahanda ng budget, management at reporting.
Idinagdag pa ni Toledo na nakakukuha ng mas maraming suporta ngayon ang Budget Modernization bill sa Kamara at Senado.
“Yes, we are hopeful that this PBBM [or] Progressive Budgeting for Better and Modernized Governance bill will be passed. Given that we’ve already consulted a lot in Congress and there are congressmen who are sponsoring this bill already. As far as the Senate is concerned, we’ve already identified and responded to the proposal of the Budget Modernization bill. We’re hopeful, but it all still depends on Congress,” paliwanag niya.
Sa kaparehong forum, isinusulong din ni
Democracy Watch Lead Convenor Dindo Manhit ang pagpasa sa dalawang panukala, sabay-sabing mas makahihikayat ng maraming investor ang isang ‘transparent’ at ‘accountable’ na pamahalaan. RNT/JGC
