Open Budget Index 2006 - Philippine Center for Investigative ...

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consistent with best practice standards, such as the OECD Best Practices on Budget Transparency, represents a positive step to institutionalizing access to information. However, frequently highly detailed information is not included in budget documents. Laws granting the right to request and receive information may be necessary to gain access to spending information broken down in sufficient detail to allow citizens to know the expenditures associated with specific programs or specific geographic areas. Such laws also can facilitate access to nonfinancial information. It is important that such laws cover or be adopted by both national and subnational governments because many public services are delivered at the provincial and municipal levels. 20
V. THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATURE In the vast majority of countries, the legislature is constitutionally designated with the responsibility for oversight of budget matters. The responses to the survey suggest that in many countries the executive and legislature do not appear committed to adopting practices that would strengthen public engagement in budget debates, and ultimately accountability to citizens. A significant factor that can play a role in the legislature’s ability to conduct oversight of budget issues is the amount of time that the executive allows the legislature to review the annual budget proposal. The executive can sharply limit the ability of the legislature and public to analyze and debate the budget by making it public only weeks or days before the new budget year starts. The OECD Best Practices for Budget Transparency recommends that the budget be tabled at least three months prior to the start of the budget year. This is the time considered necessary to conduct careful analysis and to undertake other activities, such as public hearings. The survey shows that in fact, in many countries a sufficient period for legislative consideration is not allowed. In 14 of the countries reviewed, the executive tabled the budget in the legislature less than six weeks before the start of the budget year. And in some extreme cases, such as Ghana and Zambia, the government does not even present the budget until after the budget year starts. (In the case of Nepal, cited in the adjoining table, the legislature had been disbanded at the time of the study due to the declared state of emergency in the country.) The survey shows that in fact, in many countries a sufficient period for legislative consideration is not allowed. In 14 of the countries reviewed, the executive tabled the budget in the legislature less than six weeks before the start of the budget year. And in some extreme cases, such as Ghana and Zambia, the government does not even present the budget until after the budget year starts. (In the case of Nepal, cited in the adjoining table, the legislature had been disbanded at the time of the study due to the declared state of emergency in the country.) 21
Page 2 and 3: TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY..........
Page 4 and 5: advocating for stronger public sect
Page 6 and 7: that explains the budget in terms a
Page 8 and 9: of government to hold the executive
Page 10 and 11: Budget Questionnaire are from acade
Page 12 and 13: Calculating the Open Budget Index T
Page 14 and 15: Table 1 Open Budget Index 2006 Whic
Page 16 and 17: III. A CLOSER LOOK AT KEY BUDGET DO
Page 18 and 19: Table 3 Executive’s Budget Propos
Page 20 and 21: Table 5 In-Year Reports on Executio
Page 22 and 23: Table 7 & 8 Year-End Report Quantit
Page 24 and 25: IV. HOW DOES THE PUBLIC OBTAIN ACCE
Page 28 and 29: Table 10 & 11 How Long Does the Exe
Page 30 and 31: Table 13 & 14 Does the Executive Ap
Page 32 and 33: When are Audited Accounts Available
Page 34 and 35: VII. FUTURE STEPS The Open Budge In
Page 37 and 38: Open Budget Index 2006 Country Perc
Page 39 and 40: Mid-Year Review Quantity of Publicl

Open Budget Index 2006 - Philippine Center for Investigative ...

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