LGUs told: Make local FOI for public in decision- making, accountability

FOI CONFERENCE. The Presidential Communications Operations Office led the first Freedom of Information conference for local government units in Baguio City on Friday. The conference aims to encourage the local government units to pass their respective FOI ordinances, giving LGUs the image of trustworthiness by being transparent about the government’s affairs. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)

By Liza Agoot  

BAGUIO CITY-- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan said access to official public information will guide local government units, as well as the public, in making decisions.

Ablan, also Freedom of Information (FOI) program director, led PCOO officials in the 1st FOI conference for LGUs held here Feb. 23.               

Local government officials and representatives from different northern Luzon provinces including Cavite joined the conference, which was aimed at encouraging the LGUs to pass local FOI ordinances.

"Citizens must have access to information, not only from the national government but also from the local government," Ablan said.

He said making local officials know what is available at the national level will educate them where to get funds for development projects and programs.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte continues to enjoy a high approval rating because of the transparency policy via the FOI.

President Duterte signed the FOI Executive Order covering the executive branch days after assumption in office.

Ablan said LGUs can also be guided in making decisions if they have data to back their measures.

Passing the FOI at the local level will also allow the citizens to access information about the local government, he added.

Meanwhile, PCOO Assistant Secretary Marie Rafael said it is the duty of the government to be transparent and allow the public to have access to information via the FOI.

"Our taxpayers entrusted their money to us, they expect so much from us and they want to know where their money is going," she said.

Mayor Noel Rosal of Legaspi City, on the other hand, said they have built the trust of their developmental partners and investors because they have an FOI ordinance.

“Alam niyo naman ang lugar namin lahat ng calamity dumadating pero (You know that our area is prone to natural calamities but )we have now local generated revenues, we are worth billions in annual fund,” Rosal said as he urged other local officials to pass their local FOI measures.

Ablan said more than a thousand government agencies and offices have already their FOI manual and half of the number have uploaded their procedures in the FOI portal.

He, however, said in the Cordillera, only Benguet has passed the FOI ordinance.

Ablan said LGUs should not be afraid of passing the FOI as there are also safeguards.

“There are restrictions provided. There are prohibitions and we are not prompted to issue information if they fall in the restrictions,” he said.

The restrictions include information on national security and personal information of a person which is not related to his being a public officer. (With reports from Zedrick John Macario and Corwin Lucas Golonan, OJT/PNA)