YOUTH leaders, students, educators, and civil society advocates threw their support behind the Cadena (Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability) Movement and QADENA Foundation Inc. in calling for greater transparency and accountability in government spending.
The appeal was made during the Cadena Act youth forum held in Quezon City on Tuesday where the two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing a nationwide public education and advocacy campaign dubbed ‘Ikadena ang Pera ng Bayan Kontra-Abuso’ (Chain the People’s Money against Abuse).
The initiative merges QADENA Foundation's policy and education expertise with the Cadena Movement's grassroots organizing and sectoral engagement, according to foundation Executive Director Gail Cruz-Macapagal.
During the forum, Cruz-Macapagal outlined key provisions of the proposed law, including expanded public access to government expenditure information and stronger citizen participation in monitoring public funds.
The movement’s lead convenor, Dani Belo, cited the need to reform the budget disbursement system through greater public transparency and participation.
"We need a system that makes it extremely difficult for abusive and corrupt officials to raid public funds," Belo said.
Student leaders emphasized that transparency must go beyond the mere publication of government data.
Frances Chloe Priolo, secretary-general of Kasama-Ka at Earist-Manila, said the people's money should never be shrouded in secrecy.
“Young people have the right to know where public money goes and to demand accountability for every centavo entrusted to government," she stressed.
Franz Subaldo, president of the Alliance of Public Administration Students at City of Malabon University, said they cannot remain silent when the people's money is at stake.
“We have a voice, a right to ask questions, and a responsibility to stand for transparency and accountability," Subaldo said.
Under the MOU, the foundation will provide technical information, including policy briefs, research, and other studies while the movement will focus on grassroots organizing and sectoral engagement, particularly among young people.
Both groups will also conduct joint mainstream and social media campaigns, digital advocacy, signature drives and mass activities, the organizers told The Manila Times.
Youth representatives from several universities, youth councils and civic organizations attended the forum, along with educators as well the movement convenors.
The partnership seeks to broaden public discussion on digital transparency, government expenditure, and public accountability, Cruz-Macapagal and Belo said.
Those who also joined the forum were Dr. Al Cruz, former assistant secretary and graduate school professor; Alexander De Luna, CMU program chairman for Public Administration; and Dr. Eugene Abdon, faculty member, Earist, together with Cadena co-convenors Nato Agbayani, Elmer Argaño, Ricky Mallari, and Amefah Bansao.