DBM to create comprehensive database to prevent abuse of personnel funds

MANILA, April 5 (PIA)--The Aquino administration is taking concrete steps to address the recently-revealed abuses in the use of personnel funds in the military, as well as exorbitant pay received by some officials of government agencies.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said President Aquino’s directive to build a Comprehensive Database on Government Manpower will allow DBM to accurately and amply provide for the national government’s personnel services requirements, including pension obligations.

Earlier, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Executive Order No. 31 instructing all national departments and agencies to immediately submit to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) complete rosters of their personnel – including military and uniformed personnel, and employees of government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCS).

“This new directive from the President is a major step in fulfilling his promise of kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap. A comprehensive database of government personnel—including those employed in the military, law enforcement agencies and government firms—will come a long way in preventing abuses in the use of personnel funds,” Abad said in a news release posted at the DBM website.

In complying with the President’s directive to establish such database, DBM will build on its existing Government Manpower Information System (GMIS), a database of information on government positions, incumbents, and authorized compensation in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches of the government, including Constitutional Offices.  

However, GMIS at present does not cover the military personnel of the DND, uniformed personnel of the DILG and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), casual and contractual personnel, and personnel of GOCCs and government financial institutions (GFIs).

“In the past, we have had difficulty in securing the manpower rosters of certain agencies. The President’s directive means that this time around, all agencies should comply with standards of accountability and good governance when it comes to PS spending,” Abad said.