Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
February 6, 2025
“This momentous occasion testifies to how we have embraced open governance as part of our national identity under a ‘Bagong Pilipinas.’ This is complemented by our sincerest efforts to make government processes more responsive, inclusive, and transparent,” said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he warmly welcomed delegates from across the Asia-Pacific Region convening for the 2025 Open Government Partnership Asia and Pacific Regional Meeting (OGP-APRM) at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City.
Addressing delegates at the opening plenary, President Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability and citizen participation in governance, underscoring the Philippines’ commitment to these principles as one of the OGP’s founding members since its inception in 2011.
He highlighted the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028 as a key framework for deepening participatory governance, aiming to involve citizens in policy development actively. He praised the efforts of local government units (LGUs) and civil society organizations (CSOs), noting that over 4,000 stakeholders have pledged their commitment to open governance through the nationwide advocacy campaign ‘OGPinas!’
The Chief Executive also outlined significant reforms, including the establishment of the Philippine OGP as a multi-stakeholder partnership through Executive Order No. 31, stressing that access to information is critical for citizen participation, advocating for government transparency and digitalization as essential components of effective governance.
Moreover, he highlighted recent initiatives such as the launch of the Public Financial Management Reforms Roadmap 2024-2028 aimed at fully digitalizing the bureaucracy and the New Government Procurement Act as a landmark anti-corruption measure that modernizes the procurement system.
“Beyond our variances in our approaches, our shared vision is clear-cut: we want every budget allocation, policy decision, and program implementation to involve public participation — all in pursuit to empower and to the upliftment of our people,” he said, urging participants to embrace their roles as advocates for accountability in their communities, emphasizing that open governance is fundamental to prosperity and stability in a rapidly changing world.
“I strongly call on all government agencies, local government units, and CSOs, as well as our international friends and partners: to let us continue to work hand in hand in this very important endeavor,” President Marcos Jr. said in concluding his message.
In the same event, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who chairs the Philippine Open Government Partnership, announced that the Philippines tops Asia in fiscal transparency according to the latest Open Budget Survey (OBS).
The Philippines is hosting its first Regional Conference from February 5 to 7, led by DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman as Chair of the Philippine Open Government Partnership. This three-day event brings together government officials, civil society leaders, and policymakers from the Asia-Pacific to discuss open government initiatives and address regional challenges, featuring high-level sessions, breakout discussions and networking opportunities.
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