Reinforcing PBBM’s commitment to uphold children’s rights and welfare, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging all Local Government Units (LGUs) to implement the Child Budget and Expenditure Tagging and Tracking (CBETT) framework in their local budgeting processes.

“Children should not be an afterthought. In the vision of Bagong Pilipinas, they are a central priority. Their welfare is a true measure of whether governance is delivering meaningful, long-term impact,” said DILG Undersecretary Rolando C. Puno.

Puno delivered these remarks on behalf of Secretary Jonvic Remulla during the national launch of CBETT and the ceremonial signing of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) between the DILG, the Council for the Welfare of Children, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF).

The JMC institutionalizes CBETT as a tool to strengthen public service delivery and enhance LGU investments that advance the rights and well-being of Filipino children. It ensures that local budget allocations directly contribute to national development goals for children.

Developed by the Public Finance for Children Committee (PF4C), CBETT provides LGUs with a structured approach to tag, track, and monitor financial resources allocated for child-focused programs and services.

“CBETT is not about spending more—it’s about spending right. Every peso allocated for children must be traceable, defensible, and impactful,” Puno emphasized.

He highlighted that CBETT supports broader government efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and strategic local budgeting aligned with national priorities.

Puno also expressed his appreciation to the PF4C for laying the policy groundwork for this initiative and called on LGUs to move beyond compliance by designing and implementing programs that truly make a difference in the lives of children.

“That is what real governance looks like, and that is what we will ensure from today forward.” he concluded.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-Backs-Stronger-Local-Investment-in-Childrens-Welfare-Through-Budget-Tagging-and-Tracking-Initiative/NC-2025-1148