The Philippines has enhanced its efforts to build a more responsive, inclusive, and transparent government under the “Bagong Pilipinas” initiative in keeping with its international commitment to promote open and participatory governance.
Addressing the delegates to the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) in Taguig City Thursday, President Marcos said his administration is committed to maintaining the momentum of best practices.
“This momentous occasion testifies to how we have embraced open governance as part of our national identity under a Bagong Pilipinas,” the President said. “This is complemented by our sincerest efforts to make government processes more responsive, inclusive, and transparent.”
The President said that access to information, government transparency, digitalization, and the establishment of freedom of information facilitate people’s involvement in governance.
He noted that citizen participation in governance initiatives, such as the Citizen Participatory Audit Program, Grassroots Participatory Budgeting, and the Open Data Portal, has brought the Philippines global recognition.
The Philippines has also implemented the Citizen Participatory Audit Program, Grassroots Participatory Budgeting, and the Open Data Portal, enhancing policy and program execution.
According to the President, 4,000 government units and civil society organizations have pledged their commitment to open governance through the nationwide advocacy campaign “OGPinas!”
“In fact, our socioeconomic transformation blueprint, the Philippine Development Plan of 2023 to 2028, identifies OGP as a key mechanism to deepen participatory governance,” the President said.
“By actively involving our citizens in the decision-making process, we establish their significant influence on policy development, as it should be,” he added.
Established in 2011, the OGP seeks to promote transparency and accountability, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance among member countries.
Executive Order No. 31, issued by the President in June 2023, institutionalized the Philippine OGP as a multi-stakeholder partnership.
The Philippines is one of eight founding members of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), alongside Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The OGP comprises 75 member countries, 106 local governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), and multilateral partners.
President Marcos thanked the OGP for allowing the Philippines to host its meeting here for the first time in 14 years.
He then urged stakeholders to become accountability advocates, fostering deeper community trust through “impactful dialogues, concrete action, and genuine support.”
“Join the conversation. Be advocates of accountability in your own communities. Be part of the global commitment to open governance. Let our initiatives honorably reflect the aspirations of our respective citizens,” the President said. | PND
