DBM Secretary Pangandaman connects with Filipino community in Consulate Town Hall Meeting in New York

DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman (5th from left), Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Amb. Antonio Lagdameo (4th from left), and Consul General Senen T. Mangalile (5th from right) are joined by Filipino community members and New York PCG personnel for a family photo.

NEW YORK CITY, 29 September 2024 — Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) engaged with members of the Filipino community in a town hall meeting hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in New York on 28 September 2024 at the Philippine Center in New York. The event was held on the sidelines of her visit to the city as a member of the Philippine delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, in his welcome remarks, highlighted the Consulate’s efforts to provide opportunities for the Filipino community to connect with visiting Philippine government officials. He noted that town hall meetings are an essential platform for keeping the community informed about current developments in the Philippines.

In her presentation, Secretary Pangandaman outlined the Philippine government’s ongoing key initiatives and budget reforms to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public financial management. She proudly shared that the Philippines had been ranked number one in budget transparency across Asia, based on the 2023 Open Budget Survey. 

Secretary Pangandaman delivers her presentation on the government’s ongoing budget reforms and transparency initiatives.

Secretary Pangandaman emphasized the government’s commitment to anti-corruption measures, citing the New Government Procurement Act (Republic Act No. 12009), which enhances transparency in public procurement by providing public access to the process. She also highlighted the administration’s focus on the digitalization of public financial management processes to improve efficiency and curb corruption, through the use of technologies such as satellites, drones, and geotagging to monitor infrastructure projects and track fund utilization.

Secretary Pangandama assured the community that overseas Filipino workers remain a priority in the 2025 national budget. She noted initiatives such as the Ugnayan Series and BaLinkBayan Program, designed to empower overseas Filipinos through entrepreneurship and stronger collaboration with the government. Additionally, she encouraged the community to explore CFO Sa Iyong Sulok, a digital platform offering consultations and counseling for Filipinos abroad.

Secretary Pangandaman responds to various questions from the Filipino community, leading to a more fruitful discussion on current government initiatives.

The town hall meeting concluded with an open forum, where attendees raised questions about various issues, including on infrastructure projects and the government’s support for overseas Filipinos. Secretary Pangandaman addressed these concerns by reassuring the audience of the government’s continuous efforts to enhance services for overseas Filipinos and reinforce connections with Filipino communities abroad. END

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile highlights the success of the recent historic visit of the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour to Northern Mindanao, a region close to the heart of Secretary Pangandaman, the first Muslim budget secretary of the Philippines.
Secretary Pangandaman, Ambassador Lagdameo, and Consul General Mangalile with Filipino Muslims and community members from the Mindanao region based in the New York tri-state area.