Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 2) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on Friday vowed a better Freedom of Information (FOI) program under its supervision.
PIA deputy director general Karl Louie Fajardo told House lawmakers the agency has absorbed the FOI management office by virtue of Executive Order No. 2, which reorganized then-Presidential Communications Operations Office to the current Office of the Press Secretary.
The EO also placed PIA under the Office of the President’s direct supervision.
“Kung dati po nagiging gatekeeper tayo ng impormasyon, ngayon po tayo ay magiging gateway ng impormasyon. Dahil po end-to-end na po ang ahensya ng PIA, matutulungan na po naming na ma-improve ‘yung service delivery ng FOI,” Fajardo explained.
[Translation: From gatekeepers, we are now gateways of information. Because the PIA is now end-to-end, we can help improve the service delivery of FOI.]
He cited wider coverage due to the agency’s over 16 regional offices and 78 provincial offices nationwide, and capability development for information officers so they can process FOI requests and lobby FOI ordinances among local governments.
Fajardo also said requests will be structured in a way that requesting parties will be able to get the right information and it will be used for their actual, legal purposes.
“Makikipagtulungan po kami sa lahat ng agencies kasama na po ang legislative branch para po malagay po lahat ng safeguards na para sa indibidwal at para rin po sa nagre-request ng information. Mas magiging efficient po ang ating FOI program,” the official added.
[Translation: We will work with all agencies and even the legislative branch to ensure all safeguards are in place for concerned individuals and those requesting for information. Our FOI program will be more efficient.]
He also vowed to coordinate with the National Council of Disability Affairs in coming up with policies to ensure preferential treatment for persons with disabilities both from receiving officers and the online platform.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s second executive order granted public access to official documents and transactions in all departments and offices under the executive. However, a legislative counterpart has yet to be passed.
