DSWD 7 Engages CSO’s on Program Planning, Budgeting

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 recently conducted a consultation dialogue with civil society organizations (CSO) to institutionalize participatory budgeting in the bureaucracy and progressively broaden the constructive partnership of CSOs and other stakeholders.

“DSWD highly adhere to citizen participation in the preparation of the agency’s budget proposals through Budget Partnership Agreement (BPA). With BPA, we would be able to push transparency, accountability, mutual empowerment and sustainability,” said DSWD Planning Officer Anthony Arsenal.

“In 2011, DSWD was one of the pilot agencies who conducted national and regional consultations with CSOs and other stakeholders in the preparation of FY 2012 Budget,” Arsenal said.

Kerwin Macopia, DSWD7 spokesperson said a BPA is a formal agreement entered into by a National Government Agency (NGA) or Government Owned Corporation and Company (GOCC) and a partner CSO defining the roles, duties, responsibilities, schedules, expectations and limitations with regard to implementing the CSO’s participation in budget preparation, execution, monitoring and evaluation of specific programs and projects of the partner NGA or GOCC.

According to Macopia that on January 31, 2012, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued National Budget Circular 536.

He said that the circular identified key parameters for citizen participation, a set of governing principles for DBM-CSO engagement and also provides the necessary feedback mechanisms for proper documentation of the consultation process.

Macopia added that for 2013 budget on the implementation of the various programs and projects of DSWD-7, the agency was able to utilize P 3,011,703,000.00 out of the P 3,208,846,000.00 approved budget.

However, the funds allocated for the disaster operation was not part of the approved budget of the region.

Macopia also said that disaster funds were taken from the DSWD Central Office budget which downloaded the budget based on the need of the regional office.

The presentation gained appreciation from the participants. Sr. Letecia Derilo of Asilo dela Milagrosa Foundation Inc. commented that the presentation had improved based from their input last year. “For this year, 13 organizations participated in the regional
consultation dialogue and all recommendations will be reviewed, revisited and strengthened to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the programs and services of DSWD,” Arsenal underscored.

Macopia explained that for 2015, DSWD proposed for a P4.7 billion budget to be used for the implementation of various programs and
services like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Kalahi-CIDSS, Listahanan or NHTS-PR, Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, Supplementary Feeding Program, Sustainable Livelihood Program, provision of technical and advisory assistance among others.