The Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII conducted the Orientation on the RDC VIII Review of FY 2022 Budget Proposals on 08 February 2021 via Zoom.

The activity was designed to orient agency regional offices (AROs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and state universities and colleges (SUCs) on this year’s budget preparation process in preparation for the review of the RDC VIII.

Unlike previous years, the COVID-19 pandemic forced this year’s budget review to be conducted online and so participants were introduced to the new interactive virtual facility to be used in the review.

The RDC VIII Review of FY 2022 Budget Proposals Drive, a cloud-based repository of budget proposals from the different AROs, GOCCs, and SUCs, can be viewed and commented on by regional stakeholders. This new feature of the budget review process aims to promote participation and transparency.

“The budget proposals of the different AROs, GOCCs, and SUCs can be uploaded and received by our stakeholders. The stakeholders can also submit their comments and recommendations on the budget proposals online,” explained NEDA VIII Regional Director Atty. Bonifacio G. Uy.

Despite the migration of the process online, the purpose of the budget review remains the same.

“I think the purpose of the budget review is always the same. And that is for our agencies to prepare and submit budget proposals that are not only aligned with their mandates…but their mandates must be implemented in a way where their programs and projects are responsive to the development challenges and opportunities of the region,” said Director Uy.

Around 134 officials from various agencies attended the orientation, including regional directors, managers, university presidents, and heads of the GOCCs attended the event.

Under EO 325, s. 1996, the Council was given the responsibility of reviewing the annual budget proposals of government agencies to ensure that they address the strategic development needs and priorities of the region.

Article and Photos by:  Knulp Aseo and Lucille Gajutos