Manila, July 31 -- Leaders of the House of Representatives have filed a resolution seeking to institutionalize the participation of civil society groups in the budget hearings of the appropriations committee to promote transparency and people-centered governance.

House Resolution (HR) 25, which the authors hope to adopt before the start of the 2026 budget cycle, seeks to accredit bona fide people's organizations and allow them to participate as non-voting observers in all public hearings of the House Committee on Appropriations and its sub-committees.

Under the proposed guidelines, the Committee on Appropriations, in coordination with the Committee on People's Participation, will determine the eligibility, accreditation process, and sco...