DILG releases own Freedom of Information manual

CEBU - Heeding President Duterte’s directive to make government transactions transparent to the public, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently came out with its own Freedom of Information (FOI) manual, making it one of the first government agencies to comply with the presidential order.

During the ceremonial signing of the FOI Manual, DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno encouraged the officials and personnel to use the manual as basis in disclosing information to the general public.

“Through the manual, the DILG upholds the right of its clients to access the official records, documents and transactions of the agency," said Sueno.

"I hope that through this medium, we will be able to promote an open, transparent and accountable government,” he added.

The DILG’S FOI manual prescribes the appropriate timeline for the processing of a requested information based on their nature and mechanisms for acknowledgement upon receipt of a request.

A system of grievance redress and appeal has also been included for requests that have been denied or in the case of a delay in the processing.

Earlier, the President signed the landmark Executive Order No. 2, series of 2016 which mandates all executive agencies to prepare within 120 calendar days upon the effectivity of the order their respective manuals.

The FOI manual should indicate the person or office responsible for receiving requests for information, the location and contact information of the office head, as well as prescribed forms to be used for requesting information and schedule of applicable fees, among others.