Secretary Diokno shares DBM’s role in achieving SDGs with Ateneo students

DBM Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno entertains questions from students and faculty with ADMU Vice President for Social Development Jaime Hofileña as moderator DBM Secretary Benjamin E. Dio the topic, “Budgeting to Attain the Sustainable Development Goals”, as part of Ateneo’s alternative class (TALAB).

In his speech, he explained how administration priorities and international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are incorporated in the National Budget.

“The budget is the primary instrument for the implementation of the government’s policy,” the Secretary said.

According to the Secretary, the SDGs are included in the Budget - ment priority plans and programs, such as the Philippine Development Plan, Public Infrastructure Program, among others.

serves as the basis for the proposal of new and expanded programs for all government agencies.

The Budget Chief also discussed the adoption of budget account- ability measures such as the Organizational Performance Indicator - (PREXC) structure. These changes have allowed for performance indicators to be assigned down to the program level.

the DBM recommended that indicators agreed in the PDP Results Matrices and in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) be used as basis for [budget performance] indicators.

“With the introduction of the performance indicators at the program level, it is easier to see a one- to- one correspondence between the indicators. The 2018 budget will serve as a baseline for us to measure the scope and cost of our commitment to the 2030 agenda,” he added.

in Budget Preparation are not enough, and that the passage of a Budget Reform Bill is needed to “address issues in budget execution” if we truly want to attain our SDG commitments.