Group urges DBM, Congress to release full budget data

Budget watchdog Social Watch Philippines (SWP) urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Congress to release machine-readable budget data that Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) can analyze and use for timely inputs.

“We appreciate the recognition that transparency matters after the ceremonial turnover last Aug. 13, but we look forward to more concrete steps to make budget processes truly open and participatory. In the face of persistent issues of misuse of public funds, the people need timely and complete access to budget documents,” SWP Co-Convenor Jessica Reyes-Cantos said.

SWP called on the DBM and House leadership to provide CSOs with the full set of budget documents and electronic copies in machine-readable formats such as Excel and other open-source spreadsheet-compatible files.

While the DBM has already posted online the budget documents containing the proposed FY 2026 budget, SWP said the Excel version should follow immediately.

The group added that the House of Representatives should post online the second and third reading versions of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) with annotations identifying amendments and their proponents.

Reyes-Cantos said machine-readable data would allow CSOs to analyze figures faster and provide timely feedback.

She noted that the current format forces CSOs to spend valuable time re-encoding data instead of focusing on deeper analysis and evidence-based recommendations.

“About PHP 6.793 trillion is at stake in the proposed 2026 budget. Expanding public access strengthens accountability and public trust, minimizes the risk of misallocation, and ensures that resources are directed to programs that benefit the Filipino people,” Reyes-Cantos said.

SWP also stressed that CSOs should not be treated as mere observers.

The group cited the 13th Congress in 2006, when then-Committee on Appropriations Chair Edcel Lagman provided CSOs with complete budget documents and allowed them to serve as resource persons, a practice that proved both possible and effective.

“CSOs can play a more active role than just observing. We offer research and evidence-based analysis grounded in years of policy engagement, ensuring that every peso of public funds truly serves the people’s needs,” Reyes-Cantos said.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives has approved Concurrent Resolution No. 2, also known as the “open bicam” resolution, which seeks to make bicameral conference committee deliberations accessible to the public.

Through the resolution, accredited people’s organizations will be invited to participate as non-voting observers in the public deliberations of the appropriations committee and its subcommittees during budget deliberations.

The bicameral committee handles the differences between Senate and House versions of proposed measures, including the budget.

A counterpart measure, Joint Senate Resolution No. 1, was filed in the Senate last month, proposing that all bicameral meetings be opened to the public.

The proposal will make budget deliberations accessible either physically or via livestream.