
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman receives an honorary Doctor in Public Administration degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), in recognition of her invaluable service to the public.
PUP presented the honorary doctoral degree to Secretary Mina, recognizing her contributions to the nation’s economic landscape, as well as her unwavering dedication to fostering transparent governance, peace, and healthcare initiatives. PUP also acknowledges her commendable advocacy work in sectors crucial to national development and her proactive efforts to support higher education.
Secretary Mina is known as a staunch champion of key budgetary reforms, such as digitalization and modernization of public financial management system, climate change and green public procurement, Open Government Partnership, and other advocacies that promote transparency, good governance and accountability.
“She has consistently worked to ensure that government resources reach the most vulnerable sectors of society, embodying the principles of equity and justice in governance. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines conferring this honorary doctorate on Secretary Pangandaman is a celebration of shared values,” PUP President Dr. Manuel Muhi stated during the conferment ceremony.
“Her commitment to education, equality, and inclusive development mirrors PUP’s mission to provide accessible and quality education to Filipinos from all walks of life,” PUP President Muhi added.
Sec. Mina served as the guest speaker at the university’s commencement exercises at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City today, 02 October 2024.
She addressed the graduating class from the College of Business Administration saying, “Whether you join the private or public sector, you have the knowledge, skills, and ability to shape the business landscape of our nation. And it’s an incredible opportunity for you – the next generation of business leaders – to be the catalysts for progress that our society so desperately needs.”
“Use your gifts to uplift those who are marginalized, to advocate for those who are voiceless, and to create a more just, equitable, and compassionate society for all,” Secretary Pangandaman added.
The Budget Secretary also has a degree in Economics from the Far Eastern University and both a diploma and master’s degree in Development Economics from the University of the Philippines. She is currently on leave from her Executive Master of Public Administration Program at the London School of Economics to serve as Budget Secretary.
-30-
DBM Secretary Pangandaman receives Gawad Kapayapaan Award for contributions to peace, inclusive development
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman was honored with the prestigious Gawad Kapayapaan Award on September 30, 2024. The award was presented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).
Secretary Pangandaman was recognized for her contributions to peace and economic development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). As co-chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), she led the activation of all seven IGRB mechanisms in less than a year and proudly presented its 3rd Progress Report to the President last July 31.
“As a proud daughter of Mindanao, this mission holds a deep personal significance for me. The vision of peace and development in BARMM is something that lives in my heart—a flame that burns brightly. I have seen first-hand how conflict can scar communities, but I also know that hope and peace can transform lives,” the Budget Chief shared in her acceptance speech.
Secretary Pangandaman was also a key figure in the establishment of the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB), which enabled socioeconomic recovery in the region. She also launched the Public Financial Management Competency Program (PFMCP) in BARMM to empower the region’s PFM practitioners.
As the only Muslim Filipina in PBBM’s Cabinet, the Budget Chief also champions women empowerment and financing with gender perspective. She led the Philippine delegation and spoke at the United Nations’ 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2024.
“Our government is committed to peacebuilding through real and concrete actions because, at the end of the day, peace begins with us. It starts with what we are willing to give, what we are willing to sacrifice for the greater good,” Secretary Pangandaman said.
Gawad Kapayapaan recognizes exemplary individuals and institutions that made invaluable contributions toward promoting and attaining just and lasting peace in the country. Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Ghazali Jaafar, also known as Hajji Salik B. Abu, and the Municipal Government of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte were also recipients of the prestigious award.
With the theme “Bagong Pilipinas—Transforming Minds, Transforming Lives,” the Gawad Kapayapaan 2024 Awarding Ceremony serves as the culminating activity for this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month celebration, spearheaded by OPAPRU.

-30-
PANGANDAMAN SHOWCASES NEW GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT ACT AS ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURE AT OPEN GOVERNMENT ROUNDTABLE IN NEW YORK
New York City, USA — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary and Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) Chairperson Amenah F. Pangandaman joined ministers and civil society leaders from around the world on September 26, 2024 at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Leaders Roundtable held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The Roundtable, led by OGP CEO Sanjhay Pradhan and moderated by New Zealand’s OGP ambassador Helen Clark, was organized for a discussion on initiatives to further advance open government reforms in the members’ respective countries and at the international level, aimed at building trust and strengthening democracies.
Pangandaman, who was asked to speak on anti-corruption and integrity-building measures of the Philippines, championed the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) as a major anti-corruption measure under the present administration.
Open Contracting
“We consider this an important anti-corruption measure,” Pangandaman said, “as public procurement is one of the governance aspects most prone to corruption, especially since we allot 40 to 45 percent of our annual budget to procurement undertakings. This law guarantees transparency through open contracting, wherein all stakeholders will have access to procurement information and observers from the private sector and civil society will be invited to participate in all levels of procurement proceedings.”
Pangandaman also highlighted that the law now requires the disclosure of beneficial ownership.
“The NGPA now also requires bidders to disclose beneficial ownership information to identify the ultimate owner and prevent collusion in public procurement,” she added. “It likewise specifies measures to hold public officials accountable and imposes penalties for non-disclosure and false entries on beneficial ownership information.”
Digitalization
Pangandaman also discussed the digitalization efforts of the government undertaken as anti-corruption measures.
“We are also addressing corruption in government by fast-tracking the digitalization of Public Financial Management processes,” Pangandaman explained. “Through Executive Order No. 29, the President has ordered the full adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information System to ensure the timely and efficient management of public funds. This will enable us to not only foster bureaucratic efficiency but also eradicate corruption as it covers all instrumentalities of the national government.”
Towards budget transparency, Pangandaman noted that the Philippines is now No. 1 in Asia in budget transparency based on the 2023 Open Budget Survey and sixth in the world for budget oversight.
With the theme, “The Future is Open: Enhancing Cooperation and Driving Ambitious Reforms Through Open Government,” the OGP Roundtable was attended by representatives from OGP member countries around the world, including its newest member Maldives. The meeting was held at the Ford Foundation in New York City.