Analyzing Bottom-Up Budgeting and Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities Program: Toward Participatory Budget Implementation in the First Legislative District of Nueva Ecija in the Philippines

Abstract

From 2014 to 2016, the Province of Nueva Ecija has been a constant beneficiary of the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) program. However, the change in administration and priority programs since June 2016 has resulted not only in the change in nomenclature from BuB to Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities (ADM) Program but also to the shift in focus in terms of budget share and activity options. While both programs are into breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering the local communities, there are differences among the two that needs further attention. The paper evaluates the implementation of the BuB program in the first legislative district of Nueva Ecija from 2014 to 2016 and analyzes the trend as as bases for the crafting of programs at par with the recent and future developments. The study employed descriptive qualitative research design particularly, content analysis to answer the research question. The study found out that a more responsive ADM program entails greater participation from the stakeholders such as civil society organizations with the technical guidance of the local government units.