NATIONAL BUDGET CIRCULAR 542

National Budget Circular 542, issued by the Department of Budget and Management on August 29, 2012, reiterates compliance with Section 93 of the General Appropriations Act of FY 2012. Section 93 is the Transparency Seal provision, to with:National Budget Circular 542, issued by the Department of Budget and Management on August 29, 2012, reiterates compliance with Section 93 of the General Appropriations Act of FY 2012. Section 93 is the Transparency Seal provision, to wit: Sec. 93. Transparency Seal. To enhance transparency and enforce accountability, all national government agencies shall maintain a transparency seal on their official websites. The transparency seal shall contain the following information: (i) the agency’s mandates and functions, names of its officials with their position and designation, and contact information; (ii) annual reports, as required under National Budget Circular Nos. 507 and 507-A dated January 31, 2007 and June 12, 2007, respectively, for the last three (3) years; (iii) their respective approved budgets and corresponding targets immediately upon approval of this Act; (iv) major programs and projects categorized in accordance with the five key results areas under E.O. No. 43, s. 2011; (v) the program/projects beneficiaries as identified in the applicable special provisions; (vi) status of implementation and program/project evaluation and/or assessment reports; and (vii) annual procurement plan, contracts awarded and the name of contractors/suppliers/consultants. The respective heads of the agencies shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with this section.

SYMBOLISM

A pearl buried inside a tightly-shut shell is practically worthless. Government information is a pearl, meant to be shared with the public in order to maximize its inherent value. The Transparency Seal, depicted by a pearl shining out of an open shell, is a symbol of a policy shift towards openness in access to government information. On the one hand, it hopes to inspire Filipinos in the civil service to be more open to citizen engagement; on the other, to invite the Filipino citizenry to exercise their right to participate in governance.

This initiative is envisioned as a step in the right direction towards solidifying the position of the Philippines as the Pearl of the Orient a shining example for democratic virtue in the region.

I. Agency’s mandate, vision, mission, and list of officials

  1. Mandate
  2. Mission and Vision
  3. Key Officials

II. Annual Financial Reports

1. Statement of Appropriations, Allotments, Obligations, Disbursements, and Balances (SAAODB, FAR No.01)
2. Summary Report on Disbursements
3. Quarterly Physical Report of Operations (BAR No.01)/Physical Plan (BED No. 02)
4. Quarterly Report on Revenue and Other Receipts (FAR No. 5)

5. Financial Plan (Detailed Statement of Current Year’s Obligations, Disbursements, and Unpaid Obligations)

6. Banking or Financial Institutions Where Public Funds are Deposited, Maintained or Invested/Income and Fund sources/Legal Basis for Depositing Funds/Purpose of Funds/Monthly Balances

III. DBM Approved Budget and Targets 

IV. Projects, Programs and Activities, Beneficiaries, and Status of Implementation

V. A. Annual Procurement Plan 

V. B. Procurement Monitoring Report

V. C. Annual Procurement Compliance and Performance Indicator

VI. Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015)

VII. System of Ranking Delivery Units and Individuals

VIII. Freedom of Information

IX. Guidelines in the Review and Compliance Procedures in the Filing and Submission of SALN