House issues guidelines for CSO and PO involvement in national budget process

The House of Representatives issued interim guidelines on Monday to allow people's organizations and civil society groups to participate in national budget legislation and oversight.

House Resolution No. 94, operationalized through Memorandum Circular No. 20-002, grants accredited groups the right to observe committee hearings, obtain materials from deliberations, file written position papers within set deadlines, and present consolidated sectoral views.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez emphasized that involving CSOs and POs in budget development ensures funds go towards genuine national needs.

A Task Force on People's Participation was established by the House Secretariat to manage group accreditation and participation, including orientation sessions for a code of conduct and security protocols.

The interim rules will be reviewed after one budget cycle to refine the framework either through House rules or legislation.