MANILA: Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Thursday called on the local government units (LGUs) to practice prudent and efficient utilization of funds to realize the Marcos administration's vision of a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines). Pangandaman made the call in a pre-recorded keynote message for the Public Financial Management Competency Program (PFMCP) for LGUs in Tacloban City, Leyte province. 'As you may know, our ultimate goal here in PFMCP is to promote good governance, financial accountability, and effective resource management in your respective localities,' she said. Pangandaman said the government would also mobilize LGUs to develop a green economy through the Green, Green, Green Program. To date, the PFMCP for LGUs has empowered nearly 7,000 PFM practitioners nationwide. About 800 local PFM practitioners, including local chief executives and members of the Local Finance Committee from the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran in the Easte rn Visayas participated in the PFMCP held from Oct. 1 to 3. DBM Systems and Productivity Improvement Bureau director John Aries Macaspac, Local Government and Regional Coordination Bureau director Ryan Lita, Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office deputy executive director Atty. Maria Dionesia Rivero-Guillermo, and Procurement Service-DBM Acting executive director Atty. Genmaries Entredicho-Caong served as trainers during the three-day competency program. The PFMCP program covered Foundation, Budgeting, and Procurement tracks. During the open forum, the resource speakers addressed concerns about the guidelines and requirements on fund allocations and agency accountability in budget utilization. They also encouraged LGUs to initiate capacity development programs for civil society organizations to ensure their active participation in the budgeting process. The PFMCP aims to equip local financial managers with knowledge and skills to help them manage resources effectively and efficientl y, particularly their respective shares in the national tax allotment. Source: Philippines News Agency