By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
The Government Optimization Bill will serve as a crucial tool in improving public service delivery, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Thursday, June 5, as it hailed the bicameral conference committee’s ratification of the proposed law.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a statement, “We are happy that the proposed bill is finally up for President Bongbong Marcos’ signature. This Optimization Bill aims to help us create a more efficient and responsive government that will improve public service delivery.”
She added, “As it moves closer to becoming a law, rest assured that the DBM will continue to work closely with concerned agencies to ensure all preparations are in place for its smooth implementation.”
The measure, which reconciles House of Representatives Bill No. 7240 and Senate Bill No. 890, was ratified on Wednesday, June 4, and grants the President authority to streamline the operations of departments and agencies within the executive branch.
Originally titled the Rightsizing the National Government Act of 2022, the bill is among the priority legislation identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
It proposes the establishment of a Committee on Optimizing the Executive Branch, which will be chaired by the Executive Secretary, with the DBM Secretary as co-chairperson.
Other members will include the secretaries of Socioeconomic Planning and Civil Service Commission, the director-general of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, and a government employee representative.
Pangandaman thanked Congress leaders for their support, specifically citing Senate President Francis Escudero and Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores for pushing the measure through before the 19th Congress adjourns.
The bill covers all executive branch agencies, including departments, bureaus, offices, and government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) not under the GOCC Governance Act of 2011.
Excluded are teaching and teaching-related positions in public education institutions and military and uniformed personnel.
The judiciary, legislature, Constitutional commissions, Office of the Ombudsman, and local government units may choose to adopt the program in line with the law’s principles and existing legal frameworks. (PNA)
