AFP commits to freedom of information, conducts leveling seminar

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 8, 2019): AFP commits to freedom of information, conducts leveling seminar

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted the Freedom of Information (FOI) Cascading and Leveling Seminar to the respective offices and units at the AFP Commission Officers Club, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Friday, March 8, 2019.



Col. Noel Detoyato (REUTERS / MANILA BULLETIN)

The seminar is part of an effort to comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 02 s2016, which responds to the call for transparency and full public disclosure of information.

“The Public has the right to know the right information at the right time. An informed populace is a source of national power, and right information can empower Filipinos of informed decision” AFP Public Affairs Chief Colonel Noel Detoyato said.


Assistant Secretary Kristian Ablan of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) discussed RO No. 2, which is the enabling order for FOI and mechanism to promote transparency in the government’s administrative process.

He also discussed the list of exceptions, and the electronic FOI portal.

As the AFP cascaded its FOI Manual to the offices and units, Col. Napoleon De Vera of the OJ7 presented the overview and important aspects of the AFP FOI Manual.
On legal matters, Deputy Judge Advocate General Col. Agustin Matavia discussed the administrative liabilities of the failure to comply with the requirements of the process.

Meanwhile, Noriza Atienza, acting public affairs division chief of the Department of National Defense-Public Affairs Service (DND-PAS) shared the defense department’s experience on the implementation of FOI.


“We must release the information to the people with maximum disclosure and with minimum delay,” Detoyato added.

To ensure compliance with the FOI process, an oath-taking ceremony for the designated FOI Action Officer and Staff was held after the seminar presided by the AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Melchor Mison Jr.

“The AFP understands that the power of the State emanates from the public, and that the public needs and deserve to know all government transactions, decisions, and policies that affect the lives of Filipinos,” Detoyato concluded.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/08/afp-commits-to-freedom-of-information-conducts-leveling-seminar/