MANILA — The multi-agency “Open Government and Participatory Governance Regional Dialogues” will hold a forum in Tacloban City from March 22-23, aimed at strengthening the government’s tie-up with civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure a more effective delivery of public service, and in a bid to keep the Philippines’ top spot in Asia in terms of budget transparency.
Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno is scheduled to deliver the key note address during the open dialogue which will be held at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City.
Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez will also grace the event along with USAID Economic Development and Governance Office Director Jeffrey Lehrer.
A town hall session will be held in the morning of the first day of the two-day event, where among the officials expected to attend the event are Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Secretary Adelino Sitoy, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Assistant Secretary Leira Buan, Office of the Cabinet Secretary Assistant Secretary Evelyn Cruzada, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Blesial Lantayona.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Kristian Ablan will moderate the town hall session.
Representatives from both the national government and local governments are expected to attend the dialogue along with those from civil society organizations (CSOs), academe, public sector unions, business groups, media, and other development partners.
The event is part of the series of nationwide dialogue aimed to help the Duterte administration get insights from stakeholders on how to improve its programs and raise awareness on the 2018 national budget and the proposed tax reform package 2.
The regional dialogues are being organized by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) with the help of USAID.
Previous dialogues were held in the cities of Bacolod, General Santos City, Zamboanga and Quezon City. (PNA)
