The Philippines’ Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI) for 2008 represents a partnership among civil society organizations and legislators. It centers on the concept of people’s participation in the budget process. ABI works to create a sense of shared ownership in the proposals, and create a unified front for concrete advocacy actions. In 2007 the ABI achieved significant increases in nutrition and a variety of educational spending increases. Currently there are 48 civil society organizations participating in the 2008 ABI and although ABI is largely a minority initiative in the legislature, it has been able to garner some support from members of the majority party.
