In recognition of the important roles of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs) in complementing the government’s drive in good governance, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) signed on Monday a Budget Partnership Agreement (BPA) with nine (9) CSOs/SWDAs.  The MOA signing was held at DSWD-NCR grounds.

DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan said that this action is in line with President Aquino’s thrust to strengthen public-private partnership (PPP) and open budget policy in the fulfilment of good governance, poverty reduction and curb corruption.

“The signing of this agreement contributes to the desire of the Department to continuously uphold transparency and accountability on the implementation of programs and services for the poor that the Department serves,” Bonoan said.

She added that the involvement of CSOs and SWDAs in the preparation of the Department’s budget will also strengthen the implementation and monitoring of DSWD’s core social protection programs, such as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Sustainable Livelihood Program, among others.

Under the budget partnership agreement, the CSOs and SWDAs agreed to work with DSWD in making its budget more responsive to the country’s development needs and pressing concerns to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of public services.

The partner CSOs and SWDAs will also help in improving the quality of the budget process through citizen participation in the preparation of FY 2014 DSWD national budget. ### (DSWD Social Marketing Office/April 22, 2013)