FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

1411

House Bill No..

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to allow the Members of Congress, local government
officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations to participate
in the planning and preparation of the national budget in order to promote
transparency and efficiency in the process.

The national budget is the financial program of the national government
for a designated calendar year, consisting of statement of estimated revenues
and expenditures for the calendar year of which it is intended to be effective
based on the results of operations of the government during the preceding
calendar year. It is a major instrument for development, requiring careful
thought during the preparation and implementation

Under the Constitution, the President, through the various executive
departments, is entrusted with the task of preparing the budget of receipts and
expenditures based on existing and proposed revenue measures and other
sources of financing and of submitting it to Congress for enactment. The
deliberation of budget oftentimes delays the passage of the appropriation law
in Congress because many Members indulge in the practice of introducing,
inserting or advocating additional items for expenditure (e.g. priority projects
in their legislative districts) in the proposed budget.

This proposed measure allows Members of Congress, local officials
and representatives of non-governmental organizations to participate in the
deliberations leading to the preparation of the budget. Accordingly, when the
proposed national budget is submitted to Congress, Members will no longer


engage in lengthy discussions and debates on the matter but will instead call
for the immediate passage of the General Appropriations Act.

This measure likewise promotes wider participation of the civil society
in order to address the immediate needs and interests of the people in the
area. It is also in consonance with the State policy to formulate and implement
a national budget that is an instrument of national development, reflective of
national objectives and responsive to local thinking and initiative.

Hence, approval of this bill is strongly recommended.

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

be

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

411

House Bill No.,

AN ACT

ALLOWING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, LOCAL OFFICIALS AND
REPRESENTATIVES OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PLANNING AND PREPARATION OF BUDGET
PROPOSALS FOR THE NATIONAL BUDGET IN ORDER TO PROMOTE
TRANSPARENCY AND EFFICIENCY IN THE BUDGETARY PROCESS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987.”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 3, Chapter 2, Book VI of Executive Order No. 292
is hereby amended by adding a second paragraph to read as follows:

“Book VI — National Government Budgeting
Chapter 2 - Budget Policy and Approach

SEC. 3. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby
declared the policy of the State to formulate and implement a
National Budget that is an instrument of national
development, reflective of national objectives, strategies and
plans. The budget shall be supportive of and consistent with
the socio-economic development plan and shall be oriented
towards the achievement of explicit objectives and expected
results, to ensure that funds are utilized and operations are
conducted effectively, economically and efficiently. The
national budget shall be formulated with the context of a
regionalized government structure and of the totality of
revenues and other receipts, expenditures and borrowings of
all levels of government and of government-owned or
controlled corporations. IN THE PLANNING AD
PREPARATION OF THE BUDGET, THE MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS REPRESENTING THE _ LEGISLATIVE
DISTRICTS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND
REPRESENTATIVES OF = NONGOVERNMENTAL


ORGANIZATIONS SHALL BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE
DURING THE DELIBERATIONS AND TO PRESENT
PROPOSALS ON EACH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY OR
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE
JURISDICTION. The budget shall likewise be prepared
within the context of the national long-term plan and of a
long-term plan and of a long-term budget program.”

SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in any two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.