Background

The Congressional Planning and Budget Department (CPBD) was created in 1990 as part of the Secretariat of the House of Representatives to serve the technical needs of the House leadership and its members on socioeconomic matters.  Its primary mandate is to provide data and analyses on the implications of various policies, issues and other developments in the economic field.

The CPBD has also been at the forefront of proactive socio-economic legislation and policy advocacy working primarily in coordination with the various economic-oriented committees of the House of Representative.

CPBD Mission

“The Congressional Planning and Budget Department shall support the leadership and members of the House of Representatives in their legislative work through proactive research, objective policy analysis and advocacy of sound socio-economic, fiscal and institutional reforms.  In pursuit of its mission, the CPBD shall foster a culture of responsiveness, professionalism and excellence.”

CPBD Vision

“To be a catalyst of policy and institutional reforms that will promote sustained growth and poverty eradication.”

Specific Functions

CPBD carries out its mission by:  

§   Assisting in the formulation of the legislative agenda  of the House of Representatives;  

§   Providing the House leadership and members technical information, analyses and recommendations on important social and economic policy issues;  

§   Undertaking analyses of impact of legislation, research and in-depth studies on identified policy issues;  

§   Providing analyses on the Medium Term Economic Development Plan, the annual National Budget, and other government programs and policy pronouncements;  

§   Gathering information deemed important in the conduct of the oversight function of the House of Representatives; and  

§   Giving technical assistance to the Speaker and House panel to the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) and other interagency committees.  

From time to time, CPBD collaborates with institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other academic establishments to enhance the capability not only of its staff but as well as those of other House employees.    It also spearheads discussion groups and forums with other government agencies like the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

Organization  

The CPBD is headed by a Director General with the able assistance of an Executive Director. Directly under their supervision are three divisions, each headed by a Service Director, namely:  

§   The Congressional Economic Planning Service undertakes policy research focused on macroeconomic policy and competitiveness issues as well as reform measures in infrastructure, industrial development, trade and investments;  

§   The Congressional Budget Service focuses on research and analysis of fiscal measures, including the macro-economic implications of the government’s annual budget, proposed revenue measures, public expenditure management, and governance reforms; and  

§   The Special Projects Service specializes on policy analysis and research on identified concerns on labor and employment, education, agriculture, environment and other development issues.  

Personnel Profile

The CPBD has generally well trained officials and technical staff who are holders of doctorate and masteral degrees in economics, finance and public administration.  A number came to the CPBD with honors as undergraduates and earned graduate degrees from reputable schools here and abroad.

Publications  

CPBD releases several publications each year.  The primary goal of these publications is to inform the officials and members of the House of Representatives of implications of government policies and legislation.  These papers also aim to assist the members in their legislative work.

·    Policy Advisory  

The CPBD Policy Advisory is a regular publication of the office that aims to provide House members with information and updates on important and emerging policy concerns.

·    Macro Analysis of the Budget  

This is an annual report which discusses the macroeconomic dimensions of the budget focusing on the level of projected government revenues and expenditures as it relates to fiscal policy and the macroeconomic targets.  It also examines national expenditure program in terms of its distribution by region, sector and objects of expenditures, implementing agencies and cost structure.

·       Macroview  

Macroview are occasional papers by the CPBD.  These are reviews and analyses of macroeconomic data and other information on the Philippine economy.  

·    Facts in Figures  

Facts in Figures is another regular publication which provides easy reference to trends and statistics on the Philippine socioeconomic condition.