Guidelines on accessing gov’t records out today

The government will release today a manual on procedures, processing and requests for access to information in all offices under the executive branch.

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Martin Andanar said the government has completed the People’s Freedom of Information (FOI) manual and will distribute it to all government offices this week.

The creation of the people’s FOI manual was in line with Executive Order No. 2 signed by President Duterte giving greater public access to official records and documents within the executive branch.

“We were assigned by Executive Secretary to craft the FOI manual template and the manual template is complete. It was finalized last Friday,” Andanar said over government radio.

“By Monday, we will send it to various agencies,” he added.

Under EO 2, the People’s FOI Manual must contain the location and contact information of the offices where the public can obtain information or submit requests; the person or office responsible for receiving requests; and, procedure for filing and processing of the request.

It must also include the standard forms for requests and proper acknowledgment of requests; process for disposition of requests; procedure for administrative appeal of denial for access to information; and schedule of applicable fees.

The list of information exempted from public disclosure, however, has yet to be finalized.

Andanar said the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General are expected to submit the inventory of exceptions by August 29.

Afterwards, Andanar said the implementing rules of the FOI EO are expected to be completed by November.