DPWH sets consultation with 200 civil society reps for 2012 budget

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will hold a consultation with some 200 representatives of civil society groups on Thursday afternoon as it prepares its budget proposal for 2012. Those expected to participate in the consultation are representatives from engineering schools and other government agencies. "This is to solicit inputs to come up with DPWH and CSOs common objectives and to enhance the quality of the budget process through citizens’ participation in the preparation of the (Fiscal Year) 2012 national budget," DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said in a news release on the DPWH website. He said the civil society groups' participation will include the review, assessment, or evaluation of DPWH projects programmed for 2012. Singson also said he expects them to help increase transparency and efficiency in the delivery of quality infrastructure and services. Earlier, the DPWH strengthened its partnership with civil society groups in procurement and project monitoring and in the other stages of the project development cycle. The Budget Partnership Agreement (BPA) was signed with the first set of civil society organizations accredited by DPWH as official partners led by “Bantay Lansangan" and its members. At least 50 civil society organizations are already accredited partners of the DPWH and 40 CSOs have pending accreditations prior to their submission and completion of required documents. Through the CSO Desk Office, the DPWH encourages interested civil society organizations which are not yet accredited to apply for accreditation by sending the filled out application form that can be downloaded from the DPWH website together with the specified documentary requirements. - VVP, GMA News