The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has become the first national government agency to create a dedicated Sustainability Committee and designate a Chief Sustainability Officer.

In a statement Wednesday, the DBM said the initiative is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize green governance.

The move, formalized under Department Order 8, series of 2025, establishes an internal body that will guide the DBM’s efforts in addressing the environmental, economic, and social impacts of its operations.

The committee is tasked with reviewing current programs, recommending improvements, and promoting initiatives aimed at innovation and accountability in sustainable governance.

“At the DBM, we take sustainability very seriously. As stewards of the national budget, we know that every policy we shape and every peso we spend must support a future that is not only economically sound but also environmentally just,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

“Creating the Sustainability Committee is our way of showing support to the belief of President Bongbong Marcos that climate action should not just be the work of environmental agencies – it’s everyone’s responsibility, and we’re proud to lead the way.”

The DBM said the initiative reflects its commitment to aligning its operations with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, the Green Public Procurement roadmap, and the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.

“Through this initiative, the DBM aims to make sustainability a guiding principle in public service, not an afterthought, but a standard that drives planning, budgeting, and delivery of services,” Pangandaman added. (PNA)