The women’s budget: Investing in empowerment, accountability, change

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. lam pleased and excited to share that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) was conferred multiple awards during the recognition of the 2024 Top Performing Agencies in the Gender and Development (GAD) Budget by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) last Sept. 25.

- DBM SECRETARY AMENAH F. PANGANDAMAN

The DBM achieved a remarkable milestone by ranking in four categories: Rank 4 among line agencies with the highest organization-focused expenditure; Rank 7 among line agencies with the highest client-focused expenditure; Ranknine among line agencies with the highest client-focused allocation; and Rank 9 among line agencies with the highest organization-focused allocation.

I was pleasantly surprised by these recognitions, and I thank the PCW for acknowledging the DBM as one of the government entities that demonstrated exceptional commitment in allocating and utilizing its 2024 GAD Budget to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.

I wholeheartedly agree with PCW Chairperson Emerlita Valdeavilla when she said in her speech during the awarding ceremony: “Every peso of the GAD Budget must reach those who need it most, untouched by corruption and full of empowerment, equality, and dignity.”

I believe our nation is fortunate to have a leader in the person of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM), whose steadfast support enables us to advance inclusive, gender-responsive development so that every peso we steward delivers real safety, dignity, and opportunity for Filipinos—especially women and their families.

As PBBM underscored in his National Women’s Month message last March 8: “The Bagong Pilipinas we are building will always advocate for women’s rights and vigorously oppose anything threatening their progress.”