The executive order granting the public access to information about government transactions and operations will take effect on Nov. 25, according to several news reports.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said government agencies are now preparing to implement the Freedom of Information (FOI) order, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed on July 23.
“This is a new task for our fellow government workers. As we continue to learn the ropes, we will be able to craft mechanisms that may further improve efficiency, because this resolve to promote transparency is a big leap for the country’s progress,” Andanar said in a statement.
“We have conducted workshops for the agencies of the Executive branch, aiming to ensure that all agencies will be able to institute their own internal procedures on handling the FOI requests,” he added.
Andanar’s statement did not provide details on the FOI exemptions, which transparency advocates fear would dilute the spirit of the order.
