Digitalization to enable DBM to save ₧33M in printing cost

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday said it has laid out plans to fully digitalize the release of various documents, including allotment releases, by the next quarter, allowing the government to save at least P33 million from printing costs.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the move is part of the current administration’s priorities in making bureaucratic processes, records and databases more “efficient.”

Pangandaman explained that the digitalization would involve the releases of Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA), and Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action (NOSCA).

“Noong Cabinet meeting po, sinabi po ni Presidente that he’s also pro-digitalization to reduce ‘yung cost of doing business, transparency, and accountability,” Pangandaman said.

“So, noong lumabas po ‘yung second version [of the draft budget], most of the agencies po, we adopted ‘yung kanilang mga digitalization programs. We have provided more than P300 billion for the digitalization program of the different national government agencies,” she reported.

Pangandaman explained the DBM started its digital transformation initiatives after it signed a deal with three authorized government servicing banks for the implementation of the online release of NCA. The banks were Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines and Philippine Veterans Bank.

“So, doon sa NCA palang, if we start next year, we will save at least P33 million on the printing and the cost of paper. Kasi special paper po ‘yan—para ‘pag napunta po sa masamang tao, hindi po n’ya magamit,” Pangandaman said.

“So, we don’t have to print that [special paper]. So, hopefully po, until first sem of next year, lahat po ng releases ng DBM, wala na pong hard copy. It will all be digital,” Pangandaman added.

Pangandaman said the DBM is also investing in its cyber security to ensure that its digital processes would be “free” from criminal or unauthorized use.