TINUPAD ng Kamara nitong Martes ang pangako nito para sa isang bukas, participatory, at may pananagutang proseso ng pambansang budget, na binibigyang-diin na ang Interim Guidelines on People’s Organizations’ Engagement ay unang hakbang pa lamang sa isinusulong na malawak na agenda ng reporma.

Sinabi ni House Spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante na pinahahalagahan ng Kamara ang papel ng civil society organizations (CSOs) sa pagpapalakas ng tinig ng mga komunidad at sa pagtitiyak ng pananagutan.

“The House leadership has been transparent from the beginning: this year’s guidelines are interim, designed to fit within the constitutional and operational limits of the 2026 budget calendar,” ani Abante.

“We are navigating strict timelines, complex logistics, and the need to integrate a new system of public participation into a highly structured legislative process,” dagdag pa niya.

Sinabi ni Abante na ang mga pagbabago ay hindi pa ang final model at iginiit na ang taon na ito ay pilot period upang tukuyin ang mga balakid at mapahusay ang mga institusyonal na proseso.

Ipinunto rin niya na nakatuon ang Kamara sa pagtatatag ng pangmatagalang participatory framework na nakabatay sa ebidensya, karanasan, at feedback ng mga stakeholders.

“We chose to move forward—even with limitations—because delaying reform would only delay people’s voices. We did not want perfection to be the enemy of participation,” diin ni Abante.

Noong Agosto 24, anim na organisasyon ang na-accredit upang makibahagi sa 2026 budget deliberations — Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives, SafeTravelPH Mobility Innovations Organization, Makati Business Club, Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan, Center for People Empowerment in Governance at WeSolve Foundation.

“We thank these organizations for their constructive engagement, adherence to the process, and dedication to pursuing reforms from within,” ani Abante. “Their participation reflects a commitment to dialogue over division, and collaboration over criticism.”

Naglabas din ang Kamara ng breakdown ng accreditation process: anim na CSOs ang na-accredit, apat ang nagpahayag ng intensiyon na magsumite ng requirements, dalawa ang nagpaliban ng partisipasyon, at 14 pa ang hindi sumasagot.

“The door is always open. Participation is not a one-shot deal—it is a commitment we can build on together,” wika ni Abante.

Aniya, itinuturing ng Kamara ang karanasan sa 2026 bilang isang “valuable baseline for building a more robust framework for 2027 and beyond.”

“Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and the House leadership are committed to documenting this year’s implementation lessons, engaging CSOs in post-budget assessments, and crafting a more inclusive and standardized participation framework in future budget cycles,” sabi ni Abante.

Dagdag pa niya: “This is part of the House’s broader effort to institutionalize people’s participation not just in budgeting—but in lawmaking, oversight, and national development.”

“This year is just the beginning. The People’s Budget is not a slogan—it is a living process we are committed to refining, with the help of civil society,” ani Abante.

Umapela rin si Abante sa mga CSOs na ipagpatuloy ang pakikipagtulungan sa Kamara.

“We urge our partners in civil society to continue engaging, continue critiquing, but most importantly, continue participating. The budget affects every Filipino—and every Filipino voice deserves space in the conversation,” wika ni Abante.

“Let us not stay on the sidelines. Let’s help shape the process. Reforms are not handed down—they are built, hand in hand,” pagtatapos ni Abante.