(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 19 February 2025) Shear Line affecting the eastern section of Northern Luzon. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Mindanao. Northeast Monsoon affecting Extreme Northern Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Thursday, 23 January 2025

Budget Sec leads media launch of Open Government Partnership Reg’l Meeting 2025

The Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), co-chaired by Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman took its commitment to open governance to the next level with the official media launch of the OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) on 15 January.

“Today's event is not just to drum up our enthusiasm. It is a recognition of the fact that the open government agenda is present when it comes to achieving our Agenda for Prosperity. And this will be the central point of our gathering at the OGP Regional Meeting this February,” the secretary said.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who also attended the event, underscored that open government is a shared endeavor. “…the promotion of open government is not the responsibility of the government alone; it is equally part of a collective mission that demands the participation and collaboration of all stakeholders. For this reason, therefore, your insights, contributions, and commitment are invaluable to creating a more transparent, more accountable, and more inclusive government,” the former Chief Jstice stated.

“The OGP Summit provides a platform for countries to showcase their progress, challenges, and commitment to open government. It offers opportunities for networking, peer-learning, and cooperation among stakeholders,” PH-OGP Co-Chairperson Aurora “Araw” Reyes Chavez said, giving a backgrounder on the APRM 2025.

Quezon City, recognized for its open government achievements, will also participate in the APRM 2025. “With the wealth of experiences in this room, the OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting is an exciting opportunity for all of us. The lessons we have gained in our journeys will create a tapestry of a better tomorrow, one framed within the context of governance that truly is for and by the people,” Mayor Joy Belmonte, for her part, said.

OGP Support Unit Communications, Content, and Community Engagement Director Rudi Borrmann issued a powerful call to action encouraging government and civil society leaders to unite at the APRM 2025. “Use this space, use this event, to come and connect. Many times, the work around democracy, fighting against corruption, creating accountability, these are very lonely tasks for champions and reformers. One of the things that the OGP is also promoting is creating a global network. You are not alone in mobilizing action,” Dir. Borrmann expressed.

Furthermore, Sec. Pangandaman highlighted key milestones in the PH-OGP including the Philippines’ co-founding membership of the movement in 2011, the PH-OGP's formalization through President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 's Executive Order No. 31, the successful OGPinas! National Advocacy Campaign, and the upcoming APRM 2025. She also invited participants to the PH-OGP Fun Run on January 26th at the Quirino Grandstand, a prelude to the February regional meeting.

Chavez and Dr. Annie Enriquez Geron gave their testimonies and messages of support for the initiative and the APRM 2025. They joined DBM Usec. Rolly Toledo, Mayor Joy Belmonte, and La Salle Institute of Governance (LSIG) Director Francisco Magno for the closing discussion.

The secretary concluded her speech by emphasizing the PH-OGP's overarching goal. “Sa lahat ng aktibidad na ito, iisa lang po ang aming hangarin. At 'yan ay ang palawakin ang espasyo ng mamamayan para sila'y makibahagi at makialam sa bawat proseso ng gobyerno. Dahil sa bukas na pamamahala, lahat ng boses ay dapat napakikinggan. Sa bukas na pamamahala, naipapakita ang kapangyarihan ng ordinaryong mamamayan na makapag-ambag sa kaunlaran ng bansa,” she closed.

The OGP APRM 2025 will be held at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, from February 5 to 7.  It will bring together over 800 registered participants, including high-level representatives from government and civil society organizations both domestically and internationally. (DBM/PIA-Caraga)