EU turns over IT equipment to LGUs

Support to LGUs seeks to strengthen public financial management reforms The European Union (EU) and the Philippine government today turned over computers and training equipment worth R5.6 Million to 16 local government units (LGUs) and 16 regional government agencies of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Attended by DBM officials, Mr. Achim Tillessen, head of Development Cooperation of the EU Delegation, and Mayor Gerardo V. Calderon of Angono, Rizal, the turnover forms part of the EU-funded project, “Support to the Local Government Units for More Effective and Accountable Public Finance Management (LGU PFM 2 Project),” which seeks to elevate the current state of Public Financial Management (PFM) at the local government level.

Out of the country’s 1,715 LGUs, the 16 were carefully selected by the DBM, BLGF, NEDA, and DILG based on their readiness and willingness to implement PFM reforms. The chosen LGUs are slated to receive a full suite of IT equipment comprising four desktop PCs, one laptop, one projector, one LCD screen, one laser printer, and accessories.

“The ultimate goal of the LGU PFM 2 Project is to help local governments strengthen their public financial management systems and achieve improved revenue generation and expenditure management. This turnover of equipment has been in the works since May 2013 and is one of many milestones we’ve reached. With each new project, our intention is for LGUs grow more transparent, responsive, and accountable,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.

The Philippines has in recent years improved its public financial management system with crucial assistance from the LGU PFM program, Abad added. “This latest endeavor will allow participating local governments and regional offices to undertake PFM more efficiently.”

“An efficient and effective delivery of public goods and services is the goal of good governance. Public Financial Management makes good governance possible because it helps us upgrade the quality of service for the people”, says Mayor Gerardo V. Calderon of Angono, Rizal.