House Resolution calls for civil groups' participation in budget deliberations

Speaker Martin Romualdez filed House Resolution 94 on Wednesday, formalizing a call for watchdogs and civil society organizations to participate in national budget deliberations.

The resolution would allow bonafide people's organizations to observe official non-voting sessions during the crafting of the national budget for 2026 and beyond, aiming to fulfill his commitment to make the fiscal process more transparent.

House Resolution No. 94 directs the House appropriations committee to establish accreditation guidelines to allow civil groups to sit in on the budget discussions expected to start in mid-August.

Speaker Romualdez emphasized the importance of people's voices being heard from the start of the budget process to ensure transparency and accountability, while also aligning with the Constitution’s provisions on participatory governance.

Minority senators and congressmen filed separate resolutions calling for greater transparency in the bicameral conference committee proceedings following criticism over the 2025 budget process.

The resolution aims to involve civil society organizations working in key sectors such as education, public health, social welfare, environment, agriculture, and local governance to guide more responsive budgeting.