From policy to impact: Integrating children's welfare in our PFM

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Every child holds a promise for the future of our country.

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To reach their full potential and be productive members of society, they must be given a fair start in a nurturing, safe, and secure environment — not only to survive but to thrive.

At the ceremonial signing of a joint circular between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the establishment of Child Development Centers by local government units (LGUs), President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. emphasized, “We must ensure that the foundations for the full development of our children are met.”

Thus, as Public Financial Management (PFM) Committee chair, I gladly welcome the results of the first-ever Child-Responsive Public Financial Management (ChPFM) Assessment. Launched on June 10, 2025, alongside four other Public Expenditure and Financial Assessment (PEFA) Reports, and with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as our main partner, the ChPFM Assessment Report, covering data from fiscal years (FYs) 2021-2023 (some from 2024), aims to contribute to building government systems that foster child development while promoting more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable fiscal policies and allocation of public resources.

ChPFM assessment results

The assessment revealed that the Philippines has begun laying the groundwork for a PFM system that is responsive to children’s needs. At the national level, children-related priorities are reflected in national budget documents, particularly in the FY 2024 People’s Budget and Technical Notes, which highlight investments in education, health, and social protection.