DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The executive order signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Freedom of Information will take effect on Nov. 25.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said government agencies are now busy preparing to enforce EO No. 2 signed last July 23.
“We have conducted workshops for the agencies of the Executive branch, aiming to ensure that all agencies will be able to institute their own internal procedures on handling the FOI requests,” Andanar said in a dispatch Wednesday, Nov. 9.
“This is a new task for our fellow government workers. As we continue to learn the ropes, we will be able to craft mechanisms that may further improve efficiency, because this resolve to promote transparency is a big leap for the country’s progress,” Andanar said.
He said the processes will be published through the People’s Manual of government agencies.
Under the EO, the public shall have access to “information, official records, public records and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for public-development.”
Any Filipino who wishes to request information can write the head of the government agency provided that he or she presents proof of identification.
The request can be made before all government offices under the executive branch, including government owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs). (davaotoday.com)
