MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is in the thick of preparations for the country’s hosting of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting on February 5 to 7.
The DBM signed on Tuesday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with its partners from the government and the media to promote transparency and improve public trust.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Manila Bulletin, Inquirer Interactive, Inc., DZRH-Manila Broadcasting Co., DOOH Philippines, and SMC Asia Cars Distributor Corp. signed the MOA with the DBM.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who also serves as PH-OGP co-chairperson, thanked the agency’s partners for helping promote open governance.
“You are our co-architects in ensuring that the principles of open government are not just discussed in closed rooms but are broadcasted across mediums reaching every corner of our region,” Pangandaman said.
“Through your lenses, through your words, we can connect with the public, garner support, and most importantly, be held accountable.”
The event aims to bring together heads of state, high-level government representatives, civil society, international organizations, and policymakers from across the region to harness democratic practices and advance progress in making governments more open and accountable.
The OGP is a multi-stakeholder initiative that includes 75 countries and 150 local governments, representing more than two billion people, and thousands of civil society organizations that advocate transparent, participatory, inclusive, and accountable governance.
To date, 260 international participants have signified their intention to attend the gathering, according to Pangandaman.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is also expected to grace the event, she added.
The budget chief also invited the public to join the OGP fun run to be held at the Quirino Grandstand on January 26, which will serve as the OGP meet’s kickoff event.
The fun run will offer three distances with corresponding registration fees: 3 km. (PHP700); 5 km. (PHP800); and 10 km. (PHP1,000). Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross. (PNA)