(From left to right) Bangsamoro Government officials such as Budget and Finance Minister Atty. Ubaida Pacasem, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba pose with Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman (center) during the launching of Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) campaign, known as OGPinas on January 24, 2024 in Cotabato City.
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Government officials signified their resounding commitment to uphold open and good governance in the region, following the launching of Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) campaign, known as OGPinas here on January 24.
The launching was spearheaded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management (MFBM), Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), and Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO).
“Today, we are not only witnessing the unfolding of a nationwide campaign but also affirm our commitment to the principles that guide us – moral governance, accessibility, and citizen empowerment,” Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said.
“As we launch the national government’s OGPinas, let us also renew our commitment to promoting transparency and accountability to empower the Bangsamoro people,” he added.
Leading the OGPinas campaign, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman enjoined everyone to empower others through this platform to make the desired changes for lasting peace and prosperity in Mindanao.
The Secretary said, “This open government movement is for you so that we can dialogue and work together towards transforming Mindanao from a land of promise to a land of promises fulfilled.”
“It is my dream to see a BARMM that is striving and a Mindanao that shines as a land of promise, and I am confident that this dream will turn into a reality through open government and good governance,” Pangandaman added.
Citing some of the concrete examples of BARMM programs related to OGPinas, Chief Minister Ebrahim mentioned that the Bangsamoro Government is practicing open governance thru implementation of Community Monitoring and Actionable Tracking System or CM-ACTS application serves as a vital channel in receiving feedbacks directly from the community.
With this, he urged co-public servants to fortify efforts in upholding good governance.
“Let us all work towards expanding public engagement, encouraging civil society involvement, and strengthening transparency and accountability reforms in Bangsamoro,” Ebrahim stressed.
This transformative nationwide advocacy, institutionalized on June 20, 2023, through Executive Order 31, underscores BARMM’s dedication to providing transparency, encouraging civic participation, and reinforcing public accountability.
Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad ‘Bruce’ Matabalao supported the campaign and asked everyone to harness new technologies for good governance and to combat corruption in all its forms.
“With the nationwide advocacy campaign, we take a significant step towards realizing the vision of a government that is not only of the people and by the people but truly for the people,” Matabalao said.
Emphasizing the transformative impact of OGPinas, MFBM Minister Atty. Ubaida Pacasem mentioned that Integrating Moral Governance with an open governance program creates a robust framework for building a government that is not only transparent and accountable but also one rooted in ethical values and principles.
“By sustaining an environment where government institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector work hand in hand, we strive to build a more responsive, efficient, and people-centric government,” Pacasem said.
Meanwhile, MILG Minister Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba emphasized that since the inception of BARMM, the Bangsamoro government has been widely acknowledged for championing “Moral Governance”.
Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao also connected the OGPinas to the principle of Shura or Consultation in Islam which promotes government transparency and accountability and encompasses public participation and deliberation.
Civil Society Organizations representative, Zalave Dinas of Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress, described the vital role of the private sector and people’s participation in promoting inclusive governance which could ensure the sustainability of the programs and projects at the grassroots level.
Wednesday’s event was also witnessed by distinguished individuals including the DBM Executives Undersecretary Margaux Salcedo, Undersecretary Wilford Wong, Assistant Secretary Rolando Toledo, and DBM Region XII Director Akmad Usman, BTA Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong, Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) Co-Chair Mohagher Iqbal, Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua, MFBM officials, Local Chief Executives from six provinces of BARMM, representatives from academe, CSOs, and humanitarian partner, among others. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
