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PCOO recognizes Ilocos Norte as ‘FOI champion’

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By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY— The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO recognized the Ilocos Norte government as one of the champions of the Freedom of Information program after a year of implementation nationwide.

Jun Arvin Gudoy, communications and media officer of the Ilocos Norte provincial government accepted the award on December 4, 2017 in Manila.

The PCOO thru the FOI program director and assistant secretary Atty. Kristian Ablan initiated the search for FOI champions to recognize the significant contributions of departments, attached agencies, government-owned-and/or-controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units in operationalizing the constitutional mandate of right to information.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin M. Andanar led the awarding ceremonies. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, chairperson of the House Committee on Public Information were also on hand during the event.

Based on established criteria, the screening committee composed of representatives from the Office of the Executive Secretary, the PCOO, and two civil society organizations evaluated the nominees.

The FOI Awards Night is part of the three-day FOI Summit organized by the PCOO and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Summit aims to celebrate the first anniversary of the FOI Program since its launch in November 25, 2016.

Executive Order No. 02, Series 2016, signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on July 23, 2016 made the FOI program official. It recognizes “the fundamental role of free and open exchange of information in a democracy” and through it the government aims to “enhance transparency and accountability in government official acts, transactions, or decisions.”

The PCOO then started the implementation of the FOI Program on November 25, 2017, which coincided with the launching of the FOI portal and the primary objective is to redefine the relationship of the government with its citizens through a full public disclosure and transparency in public service.

While the EO only covers the state's executive branch, it also encouraged LGUs to implement the same.

Ilocos Norte is among the first provinces in the country to implement the right of access to information as the Ilocos Norte board passed Provincial Ordinance No. 002-2016 on September 2016 now observed by all departments of the provincial government including the 21 towns and two cities here.

Amidst controversies hounding the Ilocos Norte government concerning the alleged misuse of tobacco excise tax, Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos said she is grateful to receive to the FOI award, promoting transparency and accountability in government.


In addition to official and public records, documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions and decisions, the FOI Bill also mandates sharing of government research data for use as basis in policy development. These include information on peace and order or school performance which would be useful even for Filipino families. (With a report from Bernard Ver)
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