BALER, Aurora (PIA) — Aurora became the first province in the country to institutionalize the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) through a local ordinance, marking a milestone in open and participatory governance.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved Provincial Ordinance No. 646, series 2026 during its regular session on July 14, embedding PH-OGP principles into local governance through participatory planning, transparent budgeting, open decision-making, and meaningful citizen engagement.
As the ordinance’s principal author, Vice Governor Patrick Angara said the measure marks a historic step toward advancing open and participatory governance in Aurora.
He added that the landmark ordinance promotes greater transparency in provincial governance by aligning local policies with the PH-OGP agenda.
The measure establishes the Aurora Open Government Portal, which publishes approved budgets, procurement plans, and financial reports online for easier public access.
It also creates the Provincial PH-OGP Steering and Coordinating Committee, which brings together equal representation from government and non-government sectors, including civil society organizations, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, the academe, and the private sector.
The committee will develop and implement Aurora’s Six-Year Local PH-OGP Action Plan to strengthen citizen participation in provincial policies, programs, and services.
Angara emphasized that the province remains committed to building an open, honest, and responsive government that listens to its people and delivers quality public service.
In June 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 31, institutionalizing the PH-OGP as a whole-of-government reform that advances transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and digital governance.
By institutionalizing the PH-OGP through local legislation, Aurora aligns local governance with the Bagong Pilipinas agenda by promoting these principles in provincial programs and services.
The province also sets a model for other local government units seeking to strengthen public trust, foster more inclusive governance, and improve public service delivery. (CLJD/MAT, PIA Region 3-Aurora)
