The budget, particularly that of local government units (LGU), should be a people’s budget, and should reflect their plans, wishes, and aspirations. However, this can only be realized when people actually participate in the budgeting process.
As it is, Section 318 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, provides in part that “the local chief executive shall submit the said executive budget to the Sanggunian concerned not later than the sixteenth (16th) of October of the current fiscal year.”
After receiving a copy, the Sanggunian shall consider the executive budget as a priority measure during its sessions and shall enact, through an appropriation ordinance, the annual budget of the LGU for the ensuing fiscal year on the basis of the estimates of income and expenditures submitted by the local chief executive (Section 319, RA 7160).
How can people be part of the process that allows them to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending projects?
First, they should be members of public organizations (POs) or nongovernment organizations (NGOs), which are accredited by the Sanggunian. They shall apply to the Sanggunian for accreditation, which shall be acted upon within 10 working days. Designated members of accredited POs and NGOs become prospective members of the various local special bodies of the LGU, which are as follows: the Anti-Drug Abuse Council, Peace and Order Committee, Crisis Management Committee, People’s Law Enforcement Board, Governance Performance Management System, Planning Team for the Preparation of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Comprehensive Development Plan, Executive-Legislative Agenda Team, Nutrition Council, Ecological Solid Waste Management Board, Project Monitoring Committee, Development Council, Council for Women, Health Board, School Board, Seal of Good Local Governance, Gender and Development Focal Point System, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Action Team for the Implementation of the Citizens’ Complaint Hotline, Physical and Sports Development Council, and Council for the Protection of Children.
Elected representatives of the POs and NGOs who are members of the local special bodies shall have the following rights and privileges: to be invited to budget hearings, to have access to documents and budget submissions, to participate in budget oversight and tracking, as well as in the annual investment planning. They can also help decide how to spend money on capital projects, programs, activities, and services.
The participation of ordinary folk in the budgeting process will make all the difference, given the fact that the LGU budget is the people’s budget.
REGINALD B. TAMAYO, Marikina City