The House of Representatives on Monday issued interim guidelines to allow people’s organizations and other civil society groups to participate in the 2026 national budget legislation and oversight while permanent rules or a law are being prepared.
“With every peso allocated to the program and project, there is citizen participation. The national budget should truly reflect the people’s dreams and aspirations,” said House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Memorandum Circular No. 20-002 operationalizes House Resolution (HR) 94 for the coming budget cycle, where accredited groups are allowed to observe committee and plenary hearings, obtain materials presented during deliberations, file written position papers within set deadlines, and present consolidated sectoral views at points designated by the chamber.
To manage participation, the Secretariat created a Task Force on People’s Participation composed of offices from the Secretary General, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on People’s Participation, the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, the Press and Public Affairs Bureau and the Legislative Security Bureau.
The task force will handle accreditation, circulate schedules and briefings, assist observers during proceedings, and route submissions to members and committees.
All accredited groups will attend an orientation on a code of conduct and rules of decorum covering document access, behavior inside halls and galleries, and basic security and safety protocols.
The memo details a simple accreditation track for civil society and people’s organizations, whether registered or not, based on a letter of intent and a basic profile of the group’s constituency and work.
Up to two representatives per organization may be accredited. Accredited observers can access hearing briefs and submit position papers within 48 hours after an agency’s budget hearing for inclusion in the record.
Livestreams and archives of budget sessions are provided through official House channels to widen public access, while the task force may limit in-person gallery attendance when needed.
“We are working on the most open Congress in recent memory. We are ensuring that the Congress remains open, listening and ready to work, so that we can pass a genuine ‘Budget of the People,’” Romualdez said.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said the interim rules will apply for one budget cycle, after which the House will review implementation with civil society and refine the framework either through House rules or legislation.
“The lessons learned will help us design a permanent framework for participatory budgeting, ensuring that this reform becomes a lasting feature of the House of Representatives,” Velasco said.
Romualdez reiterated that they are building a Congress that listens, that opens its doors and that empowers citizens to be part of nation-building.
“The budget is the people’s money and the people deserve a real voice in how it is spent,” Romualdez said.
