House Clarifies Budget-Making Reform Guidelines
MANILA, Philippines — The budget-making reform guidelines, particularly the opening of deliberations for civil society organizations’ scrutiny, are transitional and open to adjustments, sources reported from the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
House spokesperson Princess Abante addressed concerns raised by civil society organizations (CSOs) and some lawmakers. These include calls to streamline and specify the process for reviewing the proposed 2026 national budget and suggestions to incorporate public input more effectively.
Interim Guidelines for 2026 Budget Season
According to officials, the guidelines approved under House Representative Memorandum Circular No. 20-002 were designed specifically for the 2026 budget season and may be revised based on feedback and observations.
“The House leadership has been transparent from the beginning: this year’s guidelines are interim, designed to fit within the constitutional and operational limits of the 2026 budget calendar. We are navigating strict timelines, complex logistics, and the need to integrate a new system of public participation into a highly structured legislative process,” Abante explained.
She added, “This was clearly communicated to all CSOs during the consultative meetings and orientations prior to the issuance of the guidelines. All participating organizations were informed that these mechanisms are not yet the final model, this year is a pilot period to identify bottlenecks and improve institutional processes, and the House is committed to building a long-term participatory framework based on evidence, experience, and stakeholder feedback.”
Moving Forward Despite Limitations
Abante emphasized that the House adopted the memorandum because it wanted to advance reforms despite time constraints.
“We chose to move forward — even with limitations — because delaying reform would only delay people’s voices. We did not want perfection to be the enemy of participation,” she noted.
Calls for Clear Mechanisms on CSO Inputs
Last August 19, a party-list representative urged the House to establish a clear mechanism to ensure CSO inputs are genuinely considered. The lawmaker expressed concern that despite positive steps toward transparency, there remains a fear that these groups could be sidelined as mere “bench warmers.”
The representative also pointed out that the memorandum did not specify how CSO contributions would be integrated. He noted that the guidelines were finalized without sufficient vetting by lawmakers and stakeholders.
“We would have appreciated a more thorough process in terms of vetting their proposed policy, because when the guidelines were released, these were already approved. So where is the room, the elbow room for amendments?” he questioned.
Reforms Include Third-Party Observers
Allowing third-party observers during budget deliberations was among the reforms championed by House leadership, including the Speaker and the chairperson of the appropriations committee.
Following the start of the appropriations panel’s meeting on August 18 for the 2026 national budget, the House released copies of House Representative Memorandum Circular No. 20-002, signed by the House Secretary General.
The circular created the House Task Force on People’s Participation (TFPP) in Budget Deliberations, serving as the main liaison between the House Secretariat and civil society organizations.
It also set guidelines for the accreditation and participation of CSOs throughout the budget-making process.
CSO Accreditation Progress
As of Monday, six out of 26 contacted CSOs have been accredited after submitting complete application requirements via email, community members said. These accredited groups include:
- Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives (FFFC)
- SafeTravelPH Mobility Innovations Organization
- Makati Business Club (MBC)
- Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM)
- Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)
- WeSolve Foundation
Meanwhile, four CSOs have expressed intent to submit documents soon, two have formally declined participation in writing, and 14 have yet to respond.
“This breakdown is a matter of record and demonstrates that the process was open, available, and voluntary. Those who chose not to engage this cycle are encouraged to participate in the refinement of next year’s guidelines,” Abante said.
She added, “The door is always open. Participation is not a one-shot deal—it is a commitment we can build on together.”
Building a Stronger Framework for the Future
Officials reported that the House will treat this year’s experience as a foundation for developing a more robust participatory framework for 2027 and beyond.
For more news and updates on budget-making reform guidelines, visit Filipinokami.com.
