NATIONAL BUDGET CIRCULAR 542

National Budget Circular 542, issued by the Department of Budget and Management on August 29, 2012, reiterates compliance with Section 93 of the General Appropriations Act of FY2012. Section 93 is the Transparency Seal provision, to wit:

Sec. 93. Transparency Seal. To enhance transparency and enforce accountability, all national government agencies shall maintain a transparency seal on their official websites. The transparency seal shall contain the following information: (i) the agency’s mandates and functions, names of its officials with their position and designation, and contact information; (ii) annual reports, as required under National Budget Circular Nos. 507 and 507-A dated January 31, 2007 and June 12, 2007, respectively, for the last three (3) years; (iii) their respective approved budgets and corresponding targets immediately upon approval of this Act; (iv) major programs and projects categorized in accordance with the five key results areas under E.O. No. 43, s. 2011; (v) the program/projects beneficiaries as identified in the applicable special provisions; (vi) status of implementation and program/project evaluation and/or assessment reports; and (vii) annual procurement plan, contracts awarded and the name of contractors/suppliers/consultants. The respective heads of the agencies shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with this section.

A Transparency Seal, prominently displayed on the main page of the website of a particular government agency, is a certificate that it has complied with the requirements of Section 93.

I. Mandates

II. DBM Approved Budget and Corresponding Targets

III. Modifications made pursuant to the general and special provisions (NOT APPLICABLE)

IV.  Annual Procurement Plan 

V.  Major Projects, Programs and Activities,Beneficiaries and Status of Implementation

VI. Annual Financial Reports 

VII. Annual Reports and Status of Income Authorized by Law (NOT APPLICABLE)

VIII.   Quality Management Systems / Agency Operations Manual

IX. System of Ranking Delivery Units and Individuals

X. Agency Review and Compliance Procedure of Statements and Financial Disclosures

XI. Freedom of Information

XII. Other Good Governance Conditions