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. Source: Section 7.0, National Budget Circular No. 542, August 29, 2012.
National Budget Circular 542
National Budget Circular 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.
DA Compliance with Sec. 99 (Transparency Seal) R.A. No. 10964 (General Appropriations Act 2018)
I. The agency’s mandates and functions, names of its officials with their position and designation, and contact information
– The agency’s mandates and functions
– Position, designation and contact information
II. DBM Approved Budget and Corresponding Targets for FY 2018
– MARC Targets for FY 2018
III. Modifications made Pursuant to the General and Special Provisions in the FY 2018 GAA
– Not applicable
IV. Annual Procurement Plan
– FY 2020 Annual Procurement Plan (FY 2020 APP Non-CSE)
– FY 2020 APP for Common Supplies and Equipment (FY 2020 APP CSE)
– FY 2021 Annual Procurement Plan (FY 2021 APP Non-CSE)
– FY 2021 APP for Common Supplies and Equipment (FY 2021 APP CSE)
V. Major Projects, Programs and Activities, Beneficiaries, and Status of Implementation for FY 2018
VI. Annual Financial Reports
FAR No. 1: Statement of Appropriations, Allotments, Obligations, Disbursements and Balances (SAAOBDB)
– 2022 FAR No. 1 (as of December 31, 2022)
– 2021 FAR No. 1 (as of December 31, 2021)
– 2020 FAR No. 1 (as of December 31, 2020)
– 2019 FAR No. 1 (as of December 31, 2019)
– 2018 FAR No. 1 (as of December 31, 2018)
BAR No. 1: Annual Physical Report of Operations/Physical Plan
– 2018 BAR No. 1 (as of December 31, 2018)
– 2017 BAR No. 1 (as of December 31, 2017)
– 2016 BAR No. 1 (as of December 31, 2016)
– 2015 BAR No. 1 (as of December 31, 2015)
– 2014 BAR No. 1 (as of December 31, 2014)
VII. Annual Reports on the Status of Income Authorized by Law to be deposited outside the National Treasury
– Not applicable
VIII. QMS Certification of at least One (1) Core Process by an International Certifying Body (ICB)
– 2018 QMS Certification
IX. System of Ranking Delivery Units
– FY 2018 System of Ranking
X. The Agency Review and Compliance Procedure of Statements and Financial Disclosures
XI. Freedom of Information
– Final People’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Manual signed by Head of Agency