The Philippines ranked as the most fiscally transparent country in Southeast Asia based on the 2019 Open Budget Survey released by the International Budget Partnership, according to Department of Budget and Management Secretary Wendel Avisado.
"With the recent results of the 2019 OBS, we are thrilled by the announcement that out of 117 countries evaluated for the 2019 Open Budget Survey, the Philippines secured the top spot in Southeast Asia for budget transparency. This makes the country the most fiscally transparent country in the region while ranking 10th place worldwide," Avisado said in a virtual presentation on the results of the 2019 Open Budget Survey in the Philippines organized by Stratbase ADR Institute, De La Salle University-Institute of Governance and International Budget Partnership.
Avisado said the country's 2019 OBI score climbed nine places to 76 out of 100 from No. 67 in 2017. This exceeded the government's 2019 and 2021 OBI target scores of 67 and 71, respectively, under the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.
"This score implies that we were able to make budget information publicly available in a comprehensive and timely manner through the publication of all eight key budget documents such as the enacted budget and the citizen’s budget, among others," he said.
Aside from transparency, the OBS also evaluates public participation in the budget process and budget oversight. The country’s participation score is the sixth highest worldwide (31 out of 100) and is significantly above the global average score of 14. "To improve this score, the DBM will make considerable efforts in institutionalizing and expanding participatory mechanisms in the budget process," Avisado said.
Budget oversight also remained strong in the Philippines with a composite oversight score of 74 (out of 100), which implies adequate oversight by the Congress and the Commission on Audit during the budget process.
"We are thrilled that the IBP has recognized our efforts in sustaining and improving on past reforms, as well as introducing new reforms in line with the administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency. In surpassing our neighbors in the region, we have further cemented our position as a global leader in Open Government," Avisado said.
He said the country's high OBI score is due to public availability of budget documents such as pre-budget statement, executive budget proposal, enacted budget, citizens budget, in-year reports, mid-year review, year-end report and audit report.
Avisado said that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government continues to uphold fiscal transparency and citizen participation for its COVID-19 interventions. He said the DBM released allotments amounting to P389.22 billion to agencies for their COVID-19 response interventions.
“We are ready to release P140 billion more to support the Bayanihan II Law,” Avisado said. “With fiscal transparency, the national budget becomes responsive and targeted to the needs of the citizens.”
To build on these gains, the Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute asked the government to prioritize the digitalization of the budget system. "An Open Budget System is crucial in ensuring transparency and imposing accountability in the process and implementation of each year’s General Appropriations Act. This is a responsibility that must be shared by legislators and implementing government agencies," Stratbase ADRi said in a statement.
It said that while the Philippines improved its score from the 2017 OBS, there is much room for improvement as recommended by the IBP such as better analysis of budget documents, expanded mechanisms for participation and safeguarded audit processes of an independent agency. Countries ranked higher than the Philippines have been given similar recommendations, it said.
Stratbase ADRi said the common denominator for enhancing the institutional capacity of a state to remain transparent and allowing active public participation is digital transformation and an extensive and robust nationwide digital infrastructure.
"Through digitalization, the Philippine government will not only be able to consolidate and analyze big data but will also be better equipped in organizing and translating the volume of information for the clear understanding of the Filipino public," it said.
A digitalized budget process also increases accessibility through online and digital platforms while opening opportunities for public participation, Stratbase ADRi said.
Stratbase ADRi called on the government to step up its efforts in fast-tracking digitalization, especially in a time when huge budget allocations are needed to be responsive to health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus.
"The digitization of the budget system will enable the government to better plan and manage its limited resources to efficiently fund the most urgent programs and projects and maximize the benefits to the most vulnerable sectors," it said.
"Moreover, it will also strengthen the capacity of the Philippine government to efficiently provide the Filipino public with significant budget information while ensuring transparency and accountability in all its procedures," Stratbase ADRi said.