MALACAÑANG has designated the Presidential Communications Operations Office to oversee the implementation of the Freedom of Information executive order in the executive branch.
Memorandum Order No. 10, signed Dec. 29 by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, mandated the PCOO “as the lead agency in the implementation of executive order no. 2.”
“All departments, agencies, bureaus, officers or instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned and -controlled corporations, are directed to render full assistance and cooperation to the PCOO as may be required to carry out its functions pursuant to this Order,” the memorandum said.
The memorandum also mandated the PCOO to oversee FOI’s implementation, develop programs and mechanisms to enhance the government agencies’ compliance and conduct and facilitate institutional building programs.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 2 last July 23, 2016 implementing FOI in the executive branch.
The executive order requires all executive departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices to make public records, contracts, transactions and any information requested by a member of the public, except for matters affecting national security.
The landmark order was signed two days before Duterte delivered his first State of the Nation Address and just three weeks after he assumed the presidency on June 30.