Negros Oriental Municipalities Celebrate Success on MDGs

The local government units (LGUs) and citizens’ groups of La Libertad, Dauin and Sibulan in Negros Oriental converged today in a Festival on Good Governance in Dumaguete City to celebrate the success of their effort to increase the budget for anti-poverty programs related to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The mayors of the three municipalities headed the formation of Joint LGU-Citizens Technical Working Groups on the MDGs that crafted the MDG Breakthrough Plans for each municipality for adoption into the local budgets. This effort was done through the project Cementing Pathways to Financing the MDGs implemented in partnership with Social Watch Philippines (SWP) and the La Liga Policy Institute through the support of the European Union.

“The MDG Breakthrough Plans painstakingly crafted by people’s organizations and LGU Department heads who make up the MDG Technical Working Groups in Negros Oriental and adopted by the LGUs in the three municipalities should serve as an inspiration to the nation. Government should ensure people’s participation in crafting a budget to support an MDG catch up plan especially for targets where the country is lagging behind – poverty, education and maternal health,” said former national treasurer and SWP lead convenor Leonor Magtolis Briones.

“Indeed, the initiative was a way of assessing the Local Government Units in their compelling mission to eradicate poverty by year 2015. In more ways than one, the inputs gathered during the process guided us in redirecting and refocusing our attention in critical areas which need local and outside funding, viz: access to potable water, livelihood, environment protection, health and education,” said Mayor Marcela Bartoces of Sibulan. She already signed Executive Order No. 11 Series of 2011 adopting the Sibulan MDG Breakthrough Plan and prioritizing it in the local plans and budget.

“This is our humble contribution to this historic global action towards common goals. Most importantly, I want to see people would go out and immerse themselves in the real world and contribute their skills, talents and resources towards “freeing our people from extreme poverty and multiple deprivations.” said Mayor Lawrence Limkaichong of La Libertad.

“We are hoping that more engagements of this nature can be conducted by SWP and La Liga Policy Institute with us and with other municipalities in the future and that they will continue to initiate programs and projects designed to strike changes. We are also grateful for the European Union’s support to the project,” said Mayor Neil Credo of Dauin.

The MDGs is all about social justice and ending the worst forms of human deprivation. Yet, many are being left behind on the MDGs. They are the women, children, farmers, fishers, indigenous people, and rural and urban poor who still make up the 23 million poorest of the poor population in the Philippines,” Briones said. “But there is hope: our partners in Negros Oriental proved that an MDG-sensitive budget is possible through collaboration of the local governments and the marginalized sectors in the community. When the people are able to directly influence public finance, we can achieve a budget to provide education, health, decent work and food security for all -- not just for a half or for two-thirds of the population,” she added. Leonor Briones, Social Watch Philippines

Social Watch Philippines had adequately prodded solons to review 2012 budget marcoeconomic assumptions

Social Watch Philippines today said it is the prerogative of the bicameral conference committee to approve this week the reconciled version of the 2012 national budget without much change, as she stressed the SWP had done everything to persuade senators and congressmen to further scrutnize the appropriations proposal by primarily reassessing its macroeconomic assumptions,

According to Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, Social Watch Philippines lead convenor, the SWP had done its part in trying to convince lawmakers to make a final review of the marcoeconomic assumptions of the budget and make the necessary adjustments before Congress ratifies a budget measure which may be dangerously inaccurate.

"Deep in their heads, the passing of the proposed budget is not realistic because it is not responsive to recent realities of national and global developments,” said Briones.

Briones said the budget proposed by the Palace and presented to Congress by the Department of Budget and Management was premised on a “stable macroeconomic environment” which, however, is not anymore the case now.

“The macroeconomic assumptions which form the basis of the 2012 proposed budget were formulated during the first quarter of 2011. Since then many unsettling events in the economy have occurred in the succeeding months. The recurring question is “What are the effects of current global developments, especially in the U.S. and Europe, on the GDP forecast for 2012?,” Briones said.

She said the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) in its briefing of senators last Oct. 12 cited no changes in the forecasts for inflation, foreign exchange rates, and Dubai crude oil for this year and the coming year. However, the assumptions for the domestic and foreign interest rates, imports and exports growth for 2011 and 2012 were lowered on account of the weak external environment.

The DBCC also noted that the revised real GDP growth for 2011, at 4.5-5.5 percent, is now expected to be lower than the 5.0-6.0 percent growth assumption that was approved by the DBCC in July 2011. This was ascribed to the weaker than expected performance of the Philippine economy in the first half of 2011 because of the external global shocks as well as domestic issues, particularly the fiscal under spending of the government.

Briones said only about a month after the DBCC briefing of senators, the World Bank for the second time this year, revised its annual growth forecast for the Philippines, citing lower demand for Philippine exports and the impact of natural disasters on the local economy.

“In its East Asia Pacific (EAP) Economic Update released last Tuesday, the World Bank (WB) said that the country’s gross domestic product in 2011 would settle at 4.2 percent, lower than the previous 4.5 percent growth forecast it announced in October. It also projected that GDP growth for the whole of 2012 may hit 4.8 percent which is lower than the 5 percent earlier projected,” said Briones.

The WB also noted that Philippine exports were affected this year by the calamities in Japan as well as the recent floods in Thailand. “According to Bert Hofman, WB’s chief economist for East Asia and the Pacific region, the disasters abroad affected the supply of raw materials to the country, disrupting production of local manufacturers. But the biggest threat came from weakened demand for Philippine goods as the financial turmoil took its toll on some of the world’s most advanced countries,” she said.
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“So where do these recent developments put our planned projects and programs next year? Are our macroeconomic assumptions accurate and reliable enough to ensure the doability of these projects and programs next year? We have priorly urged our lawmakers to make a final review of the macroeconomic assumptions and on the basis of their reexamination make the necessary adjustments and corrections on the government’s revenue targets as well as the expenditure priorities,” said Briones.

Even the Aquino administration was urged by SWP to reexamine its macroeconomic assumptions and device means of dealing with the consequences of global instability in the light of developments in the global scene, particularly the downgrading of the United States and other turmoil elsewhere in the world.

Briones then said the administration’s budget and finance officials should also figure out how to face the challenges of poverty, the increase in population, and the very real possibility that the country’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG) may not be reached.

As she had previously warned, Briones said the debt crisis of the United States and Europe, the natural disasters in Japan, political instability in North Africa and the Middle East, and the turbulence in financial markets will all surely impact on the Philippines. Prof. Leonor M. Briones, Social Watch Philippines

Participating in public finance now fashionable – Social Watch /United Nations study

The Filipinos’ demand and interest for citizens’ participation in public finance has been increasing for the last five years; and as citizens’ participation is enthusiastically encouraged, it is perceived as part of fashionable global trends. This was the result of a study conducted by Social Watch Philippines’ (SWP) lead convenor and former national treasurer Leonor Magtolis Briones with the support of the United Nations Development Programme.

“The general impression is that the field of public finance is the exclusive domain of experts, particularly economists and finance geniuses. True, calculating income from taxes, preparing budgets and projecting borrowings is highly technical. However, it should never be forgotten that taxes are extracted from the people, government services are intended for them, and in the end they pay for government borrowings,” Briones said.

According to the study, government agencies think that citizens’ participation is largely information sharing. The Bureau of Internal Revenue, for example, views citizens’ participation as a feedback mechanism from taxpayers to improve revenue collection. On the other hand, civil society organizations associate citizens’ participation with empowerment and integrity, and not just information sharing.

“As a child from the province, I grew up thinking that government was this all-powerful, all-pervasive, omnipotent force which had us all citizens in its benevolent grip. I always assumed that government had inexhaustible sources of money. It constructed school buildings, built roads, and paid the salaries of my schoolteacher parents. It did not occur to me to ask where the funds of government were coming from. It was only when I was already studying taxation as a college student that I realized that the government’s money came from the people, especially the tax payers,” Briones said.

“Now, because of the campaigns for citizens-government partnership in formulating the annual budgets, such as the Alternative Budget Initiative or ABI which started in 2006, people from all walks of life are aware that the money of the people is money for the people,” Briones said. “The results of the study should remind policymakers and those in government not to forget that citizens’ participation is indispensable to insure that both burdens and benefits are shared democratically,” she added.

A hundred and fifty representatives of civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, private sector organizations, professional associations and educational institutions from Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao attended the presentation of the study held recently at the Holiday Inn at Clarkfield, Pampanga. UNDP Philippines Country Director Renaud Meyer also attended the event which was titled “Bantay-Kaban: Kaban ng Bayan, Bantayan! A National Conference on Citizen’s Participation in Public Finance”. The event was organized by SWP with the Civil Service Commission.

“This is a historic event because this is the first time we are discussing public finance as an interconnected practice and examining citizen participation in public finance as a whole,” Briones said. “When I took my first course in public finance forty-two years ago as a nineteen year old student, citizen participation was unheard of and the phrase had not been invented yet. I never thought I would see the day when my two most passionate advocacies would be joined in a national conference: public finance and citizen participation. This just proves that for Filipinos, demanding people’s rights and influence on public money is now fashionable,” she said. Leonor Magtolis Briones, Social Watch Philippines

MANILA CONCERT CHOIR HOLDS ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

Former National Treasurer and Social Watch Convenor Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones will be among the singers when the Manila Concert Choir (MCC) will hold its 60th anniversary concert under the baton of Conductor Dr. Romulo G. Pizana on November 6, 2011, 7PM at the Philamlife Theatre, United Nations Avenue, in Manila.


ConsIdered one of the leading choirs in the country, MCC specializes in choral anthems from the masters. MCC also sings negro spirituals, Filipino songs, Broadway hits and popular music.


The first part of the repertoire will feature choral anthems based on music from Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, Gounod and contemporary composer John Rutter. The concert will also feature three other choirs which have given support to Manila Concert Choir over the years: IEMELIF Church Choir, Cosmopolitan Church Chancel Choir and Ellinwood Malate Church Chancel Choir.


MCC conductor Dr. Romulo G. Pizana will be assisted by pianists Mark Olivares and Agape Manigsaca Labuntog. Officers include Prof. Briones, president; Eli Ongtanco and Shirley Nerecina, Vice-Presidents; Fe Alguso and Hope Basiao-Abella Secretaries; and Princess Salcedo Cabrera and Rachel Visaya, Treasurers.


The concert is made possible by Presenter Megawide Construction Corporation, and major sponsors Philippine Veterans Bank, Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation, Philamlife Theatre, Lyric Piano Corporation, and a special supporter of Manila Concert Choir. Social Watch Philippines

P-NOY’S MOM HAD THE BEST ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY

Results of research showing that President Benigno Aquio III’s mother’s anti-corruption strategy just might work will be presented on Friday, September 30, 2011 at the National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines from 1:00 –5:00 P.M. The original schedule of September 27, 2011 was moved due to typhoon Pedring.

“A framework for a national anti-corruption campaign based on the “Cory Model” just might work for the country” said Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, team leader of a research team looking into “Pinoy Solutions to Corruption”. The two other members of the team are Profs. Danilo R. Reyes and Ma.Oliva Domingo,

Briones wrote the Chapter on “Learning from Success” which showed the events in Philippine history when corruption was successfully battled. The chapter also includes agencies and agency reforms that stopped corruption. This includes the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Public Highways, the Commission on Audit, and the Philippine National Police.
Prof. Reyes tracked the legal, organizational and administrative strategies pursued by different administrations up to 2004. He showed that after 22 anti-corruption institutions created since 1950 and numerous laws, corruption continued to bedevil Philippine society.
Meanwhile, Prof. Domingo chronicled anti corruption efforts up to May 2011; including the travails of Ombudsman Marcelo and the resignation of Ombudsman Gutierrez.

“After nearly five centuries of organized government, graft and corruption now threatens to be as Pinoy as lechon, adobo, sinigang and paksiw. It seems to be as endemic as dengue, tuberculosis and cholera. The solution to this national blight can only come from the Filipinos themselves. ” Briones said.

“Our study proposed that the best framework for an anti-corruption campaign should be built on the ‘Cory Model’, Briones said. “During her administration the anti-corruption campaign was led by no less than the President with all the cabinet members actively participating,” she said..

The event is organized by Philippine Society for Public Administration headed by Prof. Alex B. Brilliantes of the U.P. National College of Public Administration and Governance. Co-organizers are Junior Philippine Society for Public Administration, Philippine Social Science Council, UP/NCPAG Student Council and Social Watch Philippines. The Nationalist artist/singer Joey Ayala will sing and lead the audience in creative affirmations about the Filipino. Leonor Magtolis Briones, Social Watch Philippines

Citizens’ groups celebrate triumph of partnership with legislators

Orange-clad members of the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI), the hundred-strong network of social development budget advocates, trooped to the Philippine Senate to show support and celebrate victory as Senator Teofisto Guingona III delivers his sponsorship speech on the Senate Bill 2857 or the Act institutionalizing people’s participation in the budget process.   

“This is a triumph of cooperation between citizens’ groups and legislators. For six years, Social Watch Philippines and the ABI, has been cooperating with, instead of confronting, Senators and Congressmen for a more people-oriented national budget,” said former national treasurer Leonor Magtolis Briones, lead convenor of Social Watch Philippines (SWP) which organizes the ABI.

“With SBN 2857, I hope to harmonize Professor Leonor Magtolis Briones’ definition of people in governance as ‘the expression of citizenship and the collective exercise of power of the organized disadvantaged basic sector to advance people’s interests’ with the government’s commitment to the greater good, through participatory budgeting,” said Senator Guingona III.

Senate Bill Number 2857 or the “Act Institutionalizing the Participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Preparation and Authorization Process of the Annual National Budget, Providing Effective Mechanisms Therefore, and Other Purposes”, grants rights and entitlements to accredited groups such as proposing alternative budgets and alternative sources of financing.  

SWP has been helping Sen. Guingona III, when he was still a Congressman, and Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tanada III in drafting and finalizing the bill on people’s participation in budgeting. This has been an integral component of SWP’s 6-year ABI campaign, in which nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and their partner legislators worked together to formulate and propose alternative budget proposals for increases in the annual national budgets for health, agriculture, education and environment.

“We are now confident that there will be no resistance from Government agencies on involving citizens’ groups in the preparation of their budgets because SBN 2857 will mandate them to consult the people in the formulation of their budgets,” Briones said. “This is a landmark in history that should every Filipino should celebrate,” she added. -30- Leonor Magtolis Briones

Groups show strong support to Congress’ Bills on People’s Participation in Budgeting

Members of Social Watch Philippines and the Alternative Budget Initiative, the hundred-strong consortium of non-government organizations that annually formulate alternative budget proposals for increased spending on social development, today joined the Senate Finance Committee public hearing on Senate Bill 2186 to show support and call for the immediate passage of the Bill.

“We commend the Senate Committee on Finance for immediately acting on Bill 2186 or the People’s Participation on Budget Deliberations Act of 2010. It reflects the Government’s political will to implement a participatory, transparent and accountable budget process,” said former national treasurer Leonor Magtolis Briones, SWP lead convenor.

“We hope that the Senate Committee on Finance would accept the SWP and ABI recommendations on how to make the Bill an effective instrument of accountability. This includes the need for a provision on a monitoring and evaluation system so that civil society can help monitor the implementation of the budget,’ Briones said. “These are the same recommendations that we have provided to House Bill 219 which is the House of Representatives’ version of the Act,” she added.

Senate Bill 2186 authored by Senator Teofisto Guingona III and the substitution bill to House Bill 219 which was originally introduced by Congressman Lorenzo Tanada III set the mechanisms for accreditation of NGOs and people’s organizations to participate in budget deliberations in the Senate, House of Representatives and Local Government Units. People will also be consulted in the preparation of agency budgets. The bills grant rights and entitlements to accredited groups such as proposing alternative budgets and alternative sources of financing; participating in budget deliberations at various levels of Government; and serving as resource persons during budget oversight. 

Both Bills referred to the Social Watch Philippines and Alternative Budget Initiative’s four years of fruitful experience in forging partnerships with legislators to formulate and lobby for alternative budget proposals for increased allocation for education, health, agriculture and environment.

“SWP and ABI are forever grateful to Senator Guingona and Congressman Tanada for being champions of the people’s crusade for a people-oriented budget process,” Briones said.

Briones further stated that the support which current Senate Committee on Finance Chair Sen. Franklin Drilon gave to SWP ABI in 2006 is gratefully acknowledged.

Meanwhile, Rene Raya of Action for Economic Reforms said that Senate Bill 2186 should also have a provision that will direct the branches of government, the national government agencies and the local government units to disclose their budgets in a timely manner. “The proposed budgets and the expenditures made by government should be immediately posted in websites or barangay halls. This practice will encourage active citizenship and allow people to directly influence decision-making on public funds,” said Raya.

Hazel Tanchuling of Rice Watch and Action Network said that House Bill 219 and Senate Bill 2186 are very important for the marginalized sectors such as the poor farmers. “Farmers remain poor despite years of efforts to end poverty. A law that allows farmers’ groups, women and other vulnerable groups to participate in the budget hearings would help address inequality, which is the main reason why poverty persists,” she said.  

            “SWP and ABI fully support the Bills on people’s participation in budget deliberations. We offer our presence and information to the Senators and Congressmen to enhance and push for the immediate passage of these bills,” Briones said. “Likewise, we call on every citizen to take an interest in public finance issues because they are taxpayers and they work hard for these public funds. We also call on the media to help in the people’s campaign to push for the immediate passage of these bills,” she said.-30- Leonor Magtolis Briones, SOCIAL WATCH