DBM Caraga launches Trese HITSAS to strengthen transparency, responsive governance
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Caraga in collaboration with the Caraga State University (CSU) launched the Harmonization, Inclusivity, Transparency, Sustainability, Accountability, and Strategy (HITSAS) initiative on July 1 in Butuan City, anchored on the Bagong Pilipinas vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Attended by local chief executives, local officials, and stakeholders from across the region, this initiative aims to strengthen local economic enterprises (LEEs) through capacity development, technology innovation, and digitalization.
While ‘trese’ represents Caraga as the 13th region in the country, HITSAS, on the other hand, comes from the local dialect ‘hitsas’ meaning complete. “HITSAS symbolizes a comprehensive strategy toward achieving our shared goal of delivering responsive and transparent public service,” said DBM Caraga Director Maria Fe D. Jagna, CESO III.
According to Dir. Jagna, HITSAS marks the beginning of a collaborative initiative that strengthens the partnership among the government, academe, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders to promote sustainable local development.
The HITSAS program will be implemented from 2026 to 2028. It will begin with the project launch and pilot implementation, followed by evaluation and learning, scaling up of successful initiatives, and ultimately institutionalization to ensure its long-term impact.
Currently, DBM is already conducting surveys with the identified local government units to identify the gaps that need to be addressed.
University President Rolyn C. Daguil, with the support of the university students, is planning to create a website that LGUs may access to view local economic enterprise performance, which they can track and use as their baseline. There will also be modules, such as strategic financial management, in creating business plans.
Moreover, Butuan City Mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun expressed his support for the program.
In his message, delivered by City Councilor Atty. Dindo Udarbe, the local chief executive emphasized the importance of the ability to plan and manage resources to ensure that every investment delivers meaningful results, and how HITSAS can help.
“Initiatives like DBM’s Trese HITSAS are important as they reinforce the values that guide effective public service: transparency, accountability, sustainability, and strategic decision-making. Through constant partnership and collaboration with DBM, knowledge sharing, and stronger systems, we can empower our LGUs to become better responsive and better equipped to serve our people,” Mayor Fortun said. (MFC, PIA Caraga)
