Amenah Pangandaman pledged to ensure the continuity of economic policies and reforms when she assumes her post as secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“This is so we build on the Duterte administration’s gains in this regard,” she told The Manila Times.

The outgoing assistant governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said that the prudent management of the fiscal resources is her main concern as the government cannot afford to waste a single centavo on useless and idle projects.

She also emphasized the importance of strategic expenditure in high-impact capital initiatives that have an economic ripple effect.

“As the next Budget Secretary, I will push for reforms such as the use of the latest technologies for monitoring the implementation of the projects and improving the transparency of the budget process and execution,” Pangandaman said.

The incoming Budget chief also intends to continue investing in infrastructure and human capital development.

“I aspire to draft and implement a budget that will promote broad-based and inclusive economic recovery and growth,” she stressed. “Iyong budget na makatao at ramdam ng tao (A budget that is humane that will be felt by the people).”

The incoming Budget chief said that she wants to incorporate sustainability and green concepts into government spending, recalling her role as DBM undersecretary when the agency launched the Green, Green, Green program, a budget assistance project for local governments to develop sustainable public open spaces.

“Upon assumption to office, I plan to work on programs that would incorporate sustainability and green principles in public spending,” she added.

Pangandaman’s nomination as Budget secretary was welcomed by the department, which expressed confidence in her abilities.

The DBM said that its employees are ready to work with her “to ensure the smooth and orderly turnover of leadership,” citing her previous service as undersecretary and Functional Group head of the office of then-Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

Pangandaman was the driving force behind the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the General Appropriations Act . She also oversaw the implementation of the Green, Green, Green program.

“The Department is confident that under the capable stewardship of the incoming Budget chief, reforms will be introduced and sustained to get the country safely and surely through this crucial transition period of post-pandemic recovery, growth, and sustainability,” the DBM said.

Pangandaman graduated from the Far Eastern University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. She also holds a master’s degree in development economics from the University of the Philippines and is currently pursuing her Executive Master in Public Administration at the London School of Economics.