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Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman (left) and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan (right) show the signed Joint Memorandum Circular on Strengthening the Program Convergence Budgeting Approach between DBM and NEDA at the DBM Central Office on Mar. 6, 2025. DBM PHOTO
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) are transforming government planning and funding with the issuance of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) on Strengthening the Program Convergence Budgeting (PCB) Approach.
The ceremonial signing was held at the DBM Central Office on Mar. 6, 2025.
"The PCB enables government agencies to work together, ensuring consistency in program targets, beneficiaries, focus areas, implementation timelines, and resource requirements, guided by a unified Master Plan or roadmap. It also opens up opportunities for partnerships with development groups and the private sector," DBM Secretary Amenah "Mina" Pangandaman said.
"By tightening the links between planning, programming, and budgeting, PCB plays a critical role in ensuring that scarce public resources are effectively allocated toward programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) that align closely with the President's socioeconomic agenda and with our national development strategies and goals as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028," NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan explained.
One of the main features of the JMC is the creation of the PCB Steering Committee (PCB-SC) to guarantee efficient resource allocation and maximize the impact of PCB programs.
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The committee is chaired by NEDA Secretary Balisacan and co-chaired by DBM Secretary Pangandaman.
This body will oversee inter-agency coordination, track program performance, and drive improvements in budget execution.
Originally introduced by DBM in 2012, the PCB Approach promotes a whole-of-government strategy, fostering stronger inter-agency cooperation for more efficient program delivery.
In her speech, Pangandaman also emphasized the Philippines' success in PCB implementation over the past 12 years, including the Risk Resiliency Program, the country's largest inter-agency disaster response initiative.
She likewise noted the digitalization of PCB proposal submissions in 2023, aligning with the administration's push for greater efficiency and streamlined processes.
The Budget secretary announced a new PCB initiative for FY 2026 – the PCB on Philippine Public Financial Management (PFM) Systems, led by DBM.
She also highlighted several key initiatives in the Proposed FY 2026 National Budget, many of which are already in progress.
These include the PCB on Livelihood and Employment, presented to Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last year, as well as the Water Resources Program and the PCB on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both initiated during the FY 2025 budget preparation.
The PCB optimizes government funding for major programs in healthcare, livelihood, tourism, agriculture, and environmental protection, so that resources are allocated and utilized efficiently.
DBM Undersecretary Joselito Basilio delivered the opening remarks, followed by DBM Assistant Secretary Romeo Matthew Balanquit, who underscored the salient points of the PCB Approach.
The signing event was attended by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., along with other officials and representatives from various agencies.
"Through the Program Convergence Budgeting approach, we are not just enhancing our ability to fulfill the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people; we are strengthening our resolve to work together as one unified government. The institutionalization of the PCB approach becomes the cornerstone of our program development and execution," Pangandaman concluded.
