MANILA, Philippines – The Australian government is throwing its support behind efforts of the Philippine government to modernize its public financial management system through a P1.3 billion program.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said initiatives of the Public Financial Management Program (PFMP) will back the campaign to improve the efficiency, accountability and transparency of public fund use in the Philippines.
“A more effective and open budget process in the Philippines is essential to combat corruption and direct public spending to where the development needs are greatest. Initiatives such as the Zero-Based Budgeting and Open Government Partnership already signal the Administration’s strong commitment,” Tweddell said in a statement.
The PFMP, which will be implemented from 2011 to 2016, will focus on practical budgeting and expenditure management reforms.
“It will help those responsible for managing public funds to do their jobs efficiently, effectively and most importantly, in an accountable way so that Filipinos benefit from improved delivery of goods and services,” Tweddell added.
The Citizen Participatory Audit Project, one of the PFMP’s initiatives, won the Bright Spot Award at the Open Government Partnership Summit held in London from October 31 to November 1.
The project, implemented in partnership with the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific (ANSA-EAP), allows citizens to conduct audits, participate in the community scorecard process, and provide audit-related feedback.
The project has started four participatory audits in the public works, social welfare, environment and education departments since its launch.
The website www.i-kwenta.com (“I account”) was also put up to raise public awareness on public auditing and COA’s functions.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
