Manila: The House of Representatives on Monday issued interim guidelines to allow people's organizations (POs) and other civil society groups (CSOs) to participate and take part in national budget legislation and oversight while permanent rules or a law are being prepared.
According to Philippines News Agency, Memorandum Circular No. 20-002 operationalizes House Resolution (HR) No. 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 House.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez emphasized the importance of including CSOs and POs in the budget development process, stating that such inclusion ensures that funds are allocated to the real needs of the country and its people. He asserted that the national budget should reflect the people's dreams and aspirations, with citizen participation integral to every allocation.
To manage participation, the Secretariat has established a Task Force on People's Participation. This task force comprises various offices, including the Secretary General, Committee on Appropriations, Committee on People's Participation, Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, Press and Public Affairs Bureau, and Legislative Security Bureau. The task force will oversee accreditation, circulate schedules and briefings, assist observers during proceedings, and manage submissions.
Accredited groups will attend an orientation covering a code of conduct, access to documents, behavior inside halls and galleries, and security protocols. A simple accreditation process for CSOs and POs is outlined in the memo, requiring a letter of intent and a basic profile of the group's constituency and work.
Each organization may have up to two accredited representatives, who can access hearing briefs and submit position papers within 48 hours after an agency's budget hearing. Livestreams and archives of budget sessions are provided through official House channels to enhance public access, with in-person gallery attendance limited as necessary.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco noted that the interim rules will apply for one budget cycle, after which the House will review implementation with civil society and aim to refine the framework. This review will help design a permanent framework for participatory budgeting, ensuring it becomes a lasting feature of the House of Representatives.
