In an unprecedented move, Senator Win Gatchalian sought closer cooperation with various civil society organizations (CSOs) to inject greater transparency and accountability in the national budgeting process. 

The chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Gatchalian, in a public hearing with CSOs, asked for specific suggestions that could potentially be included as special provisions in next year’s budget legislation. The goal is to mandate public participation and oversight. 

The senator specifically aims to make all budget-related data publicly available from the initial national expenditure program, which is the spending plan of the executive department, to the final General Appropriations Act. This includes all bicameral amendments.  

He emphasized that the only way to improve transparency and accountability in the budgeting process is to involve as many groups as possible in sifting through the proposed budget.  

“This is the first time we’re having consultations with CSOs. We’re thinking of improving the engagement with sectoral CSOs,” he said. 

Various CSOs also proposed redirecting funds originally intended for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) infrastructure projects to the education, health, and transport sectors — a proposal that he himself had earlier pledged to undertake.