New PH gov’t program underscores more accessible public information
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Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) on Thursday inked an agreement to co-produce a new television program that will highlight more accessible government information open for public scrutiny.
In his address, PCOO Secretary Andanar said that the program F.Y.I., to be led by the Freedom of Information – Project Management Office (FOI-PMO), will showcase various programs and services, including public transparency and FOI initiatives of government agencies.
“The PCOO, being the lead communications arm of the government, recognizes the role and power of the media in disseminating relevant and true information to a large number of our citizens, and influencing their public opinion and behavior,” he said.
The PCOO chief also stressed that empowering communities and the people by regularly providing them with accurate information determines the direction of the country.
“The dissemination of accurate information through these kinds of TV programs, empowers the people, connects them to the government, and rebuilds people’s trust, which in turn, inspires progress,” he said.
Likewise, Secretary Andanar expressed hope that the new program, along with other information campaigns of the government, will be able to reach its audience and allow Filipinos to transform into a more informed community.
“May ‘F.Y.I.’ be able to reach more of our kababayans, and be informed more on their constitutional right to access information,” he said.
“May this show connect the government to all sectors of our society calling for a more transparent and accountable government.” he added.
Meanwhile, PCOO Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan bared that the Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia to have been accredited as a member of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC).
According to Asec. Ablan, the Philippines was accredited last February 2020 by the ICIC, a permanent network that connects information commissioners, ombudsperson, and other representatives of nations that implements access to public information legislations across the globe.
“Ang pagkilala ng ICIC sa FOI-PMO bilang miyembro ay mahalaga sapagkat tayo ay nabigyan ng pagkakataong makibahagi sa pagtataguyod ng access to information in an international platform [ICIC’s acknowledgment of the FOI-PMO as a member is crucial as it gives us a chance to put forward access to information in the country in an international platform],” Asec. Ablan said during the Network News Briefing.
“Through dialogue and mutual cooperation with other members, we will be able to develop our capacity as an ATI/FOI institution by sharing information and best practices, including peer learning,” he added.
