The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is targeting to go fully digital in releasing action documents, such as Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA), and Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action (NOSCA) to various government agencies by first quarter of 2023.
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman emphasized that the move is part of the Marcos Jr. administration’s top priorities which aim to transform and digitalize government processes, records, and databases toward achieving bureaucratic efficiency and a sustainable economy.
The Budget Secretary made the statement during her interview at the “Kapihan sa Manila Bay” today, 14 December 2022.
“Noong cabinet meeting po, sinabi po ni Presidente that he’s also pro-digitalization to reduce ‘yung cost of doing business, transparency, and accountability,” Secretary Pangandaman said.
“So, noong lumabas po ‘yung second version [of the draft budget], most of the agencies po, we adopted ‘yung kanilang mga digitalization programs. We have provided more than P300 billion for the digitalization program of the different national government agencies,” she added.
The Budget Secretary noted that the DBM has started with its digital transformation initiatives as the agency has recently signed a deal with three authorized government servicing banks for the implementation of the online release of Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA).
Secretary Pangandaman also shared that through the digital initiative, the agency will be able to save millions worth of expenses by reducing costs on security paper, printing, supplies, and transportation expenses for physical claiming of documents by agency representatives.
“So, doon sa NCA palang, if we start next year, we will save at least Php33 million on the printing and the cost of paper. Kasi special paper po ‘yan – para ‘pag napunta po sa masamang tao, hindi po n’ya magamit,” Secretary Pangandaman said.
“So, we don’t have to print that [special paper]. So, hopefully po, until first sem of next year, lahat po ng releases ng DBM, wala na pong hard copy. It will all be digital,” Secretary Pangandaman remarked.
The online release of the NCAs will be carried out through the DBM’s Action Document Releasing System (ADRS). The ADRS is a web-based application that facilitates the release of approved DBM action documents in digital format directly to the authorized users of recipient agencies.
Asked about how the DBM ensures digital processes will be free from criminal or unauthorized use, the Budget Secretary emphasized that the agency is also investing in the cybersecurity part of the system.
“If there’s digitalization effort, malaki din po ang investment on cybersecurity. Medyo malaki po ang investment funding na kailangan natin, but I think at the end of the day po, ‘yung savings that we will incur from all the digitalization effort mas advantageous for the national government,” Secretary Pangandaman assured.
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