By Jim Lloyd Dongiapon
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has expressed her commitment to helping the national government achieve an inclusive economy.
In an interview with the Davao City-owned radio station, Pangandaman also reiterated the government’s call for unity to achieve continuous development in the country, especially in Mindanao.
“Our dream for Mindanao is our dream for the Philippines. We commit to realizing an inclusive economy where no one is left behind. The government cannot do this on its own, kaya nakikiusap po tayo na sama-sama po tayo para sa pag-unlad po ng ating bansa (that is why we call on everyone to work together for our country to flourish),” she said.
She also emphasized the value of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), a forum where the Government of the Philippines (GOP) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) hold discussions to resolve disagreements and decide on actions to take to realize their shared objective of sustainable development in the Philippines.
She continued by saying that the IGRB is needed to help BARMM transition to functioning fully as an autonomous government.
Pangandaman currently co-chairs the IGRB with BARMM Minister Mohagher Iqbal, and it meets every 30 days or as needed alternately in Manila and Mindanao.
The budget secretary was in Davao City last week to attend the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Steering Committee’s fourth quarter meeting and year-end consultation session.
PH-OGP is a consultative meeting with civic society organizations that was established in 2011. Its objectives are to advance accountability, encourage citizen involvement in nation-building, and promote transparency in government.