All local execs, units told to publicly disclose finances, budgets

MANILA, Philippines–In a bid to promote transparency, the Department of Interior and Local Government ordered all local government officials and units to publicly disclose all their financial transactions and budget reports.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo on Tuesday issued the memorandum circular in the presence of representatives from the leagues of governors, vice governors, and mayors of the country.

In the memorandum circular, all local government units are now required to post in public places their financial reports, bids and procurements, and revenues earned for the public to see. These financial reports should also be published on major newspapers and posted on their respective official websites.

Robredo said this order was a reiteration of existing provisions at of the Local Government Code of 1991, where Section 354 requires the posting within 30 days of each fiscal year the summary of all revenues and collected funds of each local government unit.

The law states that these reports should be posted in at least three publicly accessible and visible places. Reports should include funds received, disbursed, and other appropriations.

Republic Act 9184 states that invitations to bid, notices of awards, and other procurements should be posted in public places as well.

Despite these existing laws, Robredo admitted that public disclosure and transparency has not been easy.

“Full disclosure of public funds is no rocket science, it’s a question of political will,” the former Naga City mayor said.

But, Robredo said, public disclosure is a way to encourage accountability and “this will cultivate the trust of the constituency to their governors.”

From little details to how much a fire truck would cost a locality to major projects and procurements, Robredo said the public would now be informed of the transactions made by their respective government leaders.

LGUs are also required to publicly disclose their annual budget, which indicates personnel services, maintenance and operating expenses and capital outlay; quarterly statement of cash flows; 2009 statement of receipts and expenditures; 2010 trust fund utilization; items to bid; bid results on civil works; and other financial reports.

If the local government does not have its own website, then the LGU would have to post it at the regional website of the DILG. –Abigail Kwok, INQUIRER.net