By Leslie D. Venzon
MANILA, June 16 (PNA) — Malacanang said on Tuesday that the entire government continues to implement reforms for good governance, particularly those to promote integrity of the national budget.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. made the statement in response to an accusation that the 2015 National Expenditure Program is designed to divert money to pet projects in an election year to garner votes.
“Isa sa mahahalagang batayang prinsipyo ng administrasyong Aquino ay ‘yung mabuting pamamahala, at ang pundasyon ng mabuting pamamahala ay ‘yung integridad ng ating pambansang budget,” he said in a media interview.
Coloma noted that having an open and transparent budget is important in enforcing such fundamental principle.
To enhance transparency, he said all national government agencies maintain transparency seal on their official websites.
“Kasama sa transparency seal ‘yung pagkakaroon ng citizen’s charter, ‘yung paglalathala at pagpapahayag ng lahat ng mga major disbursements, ‘yung pagsasapubliko ng mga procurement sa pamamagitan ‘nung PHILGEPS na electronic procurement (system) na hayag sa lahat ng tao,” he added.
Further, the PCOO chief said the country is also implementing a system of providing incentives for government officials and employees based on their performance and the ability of agencies to abide by the principles of open and transparent budgeting and good governance. (PNA)