ILOILO City – A major fiscal reform initiative is underway in this city as Mayor Raisa Treñas formally created a Public Financial Management (PFM) Team tasked with institutionalizing transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making in the handling of public funds.
Under Executive Order No. 024 signed on July 14, 2025, the PFM Team will serve as the city’s primary body for reviewing and improving financial processes through strategic planning, system audits, and coordination with national agencies. Its mandate covers a four-year term from 2025 to 2028.
“It is our commitment to responsible fiscal leadership and a more responsive government for all Ilonggos,” Treñas said in a statement.
The formation of the team aligns with national directives from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Finance (DOF), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which require local government units to use the Public Financial Management Assessment Tool (PFMAT) to evaluate their fiscal performance.
Treñas stressed that the team will help ensure that city funds are properly planned, utilized, and reported, with a focus on evidence-based reforms.
“Our goal is to make sure public funds are used in the most effective way possible,” she added. “This is part of our broader vision for a city government that leads real reforms and serves the people with integrity.”
Key Functions and Composition
The team will be responsible for:
* Promoting the use of the PFM Assessment Tool
* Conducting financial performance reviews
* Identifying weaknesses in the current financial system
* Preparing and submitting the Public Financial Management Assessment Report (PFMAR)
* Developing a Public Financial Management Improvement Plan
* Recommending reforms based on measurable performance indicators
* Coordinating with agencies such as the DBM for technical assistance
The PFM Team is composed of representatives from major city departments, including the City Treasurer’s Office, Budget Office, Accounting Office, Planning and Development Office, Legal Office, Local Economic Enterprise Office, Internal Audit Services, and the Bids and Awards Committee. Mayor Treñas will serve as the team’s chairperson.
Each participating office is also directed to designate alternates to ensure continuity and consistent participation throughout the team’s term.
With mounting public expectations for transparency and efficient service delivery, the city government sees the PFM Team as a cornerstone reform body that will help guarantee that taxpayer money directly benefits programs that matter most to residents.
The team is set to begin its first assessment cycle this year and is expected to submit its initial findings and a comprehensive improvement plan before the end of 2025./PN
