National Budget Circular No. 542
National Budget Circular No. 542, issued by the Department of Budget and Management on August 29, 2012, reiterates compliance with Section 93 of the General Appropriations Act of FY 2012. Section 93 is the Transparency Seal provision, to wit:
Sec. 93. Transparency Seal. To enhance transparency and enforce accountability, all national government agencies shall maintain a transparency seal on their official websites. The transparency seal shall contain the following information: (i) the agency’s mandates and functions, names of its officials with their position and designation, and contact information; (ii) annual reports, as required under National Budget Circular Nos. 507 and 507-A dated January 31, 2007 and June 12, 2007, respectively, for the last three (3) years; (iii) their respective approved budgets and corresponding targets immediately upon approval of this Act; (iv) major programs and projects categorized in accordance with the five key results areas under E.O. No. 43, s. 2011; (v) the program/projects beneficiaries as identified in the applicable special provisions; (vi) status of implementation and program/project evaluation and/or assessment reports; and (vii) annual procurement plan, contracts awarded and the name of contractors/suppliers/consultants.
The respective heads of the agencies shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with this section.
A Transparency Seal, prominently displayed on the main page of the website of a particular government agency, is a certificate that it has complied with the requirements of Section 93. This Seal links to a page within the agency’s website which contains an index of downloadable items of each of the above-mentioned documents.
Symbolism
“A pearl buried inside a tightly-shut shell is practically worthless. Government information is a pearl, meant to be shared with the public in order to maximize its inherent value. The Transparency Seal, depicted by a pearl shining out of an open shell, is a symbol of a policy shift towards openness in access to government information. On the one hand, it hopes to inspire Filipinos in the civil service to be more open to citizen engagement; on the other, to invite the Filipino citizenry to exercise their right to participate in governance. This initiative is envisioned as a step in the right direction towards solidifying the position of the Philippines as the Pearl of the Orient – a shining example for democratic virtue in the region.”
MANDATE
The Local Government Unit of Calasiao shall have the power in promoting general welfare and providing basic services and facilities with its jurisdiction. To become responsive and accountable and more effective partner in the attainment of national goals as mandated by the Republic Act no. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.
VISION
Municipality of Calasiao, the home of the world-renowned rice cake (Puto) with a progressive and globally competitive economy inhabited by vigilant, religious and resilient people in a safe, healthy and friendly environment governed by responsible, diligent and God-loving leaders.
MISSION
To provide an effective management system that aims to uplift the economic, social and cultural sector for a more efficient delivery of services to the people
SERVICE PLEDGE
We, the officials and employees of the local government unit of Calasiao do hereby swear and pledge to deliver excellent public service, maintain honesty and responsibility, take appropriate measures to promote transparency in each office, and to eliminate red tape and expedite business and non-business related transactions in the agency.
