Around the University TownCampus NewsSU, PCOO ink MOU to use FOI program

SU, PCOO ink MOU to use FOI program

-

- Advertisment -spot_img

Silliman University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Presidential Communications Operations Office and the Freedom of Information-Project Management Office to implement the FOI program as an academic tool.

SU President Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann signed the MOU with Atty. Marvin Gatpayat, PCOO undersecretary for administration & legal affairs, and Atty. Kristian Ablan, PCOO assistant secretary and FOI program director, during the Negros Oriental leg of PCOO’s FOI Campus Caravan, held Nov. 28 at Silliman Hall.

During the campus caravan, McCann, who formally welcomed the guests and participants, urged the students to be responsible in sharing information by making sure that the information is real and factual.

“Information is nothing without action. Information must be acted upon, so that when we go out of these halls, we all become agents of change in the way information is disseminated and shared,” said McCann.

For his part, Ablan said information from government offices can be useful for students doing research, such as statistical data from government agencies.

“FOI is the government’s program to provide you with access to information,” said Ablan, who encouraged students to use FOI as a tool for academic research.

Information obtained from the government through the FOI, he said, can also help students in making informed decisions in various situations, whether personal or professional.

According to its official website, the FOI Program is a government mechanism which allows Filipino citizens to “request any information about government transactions and operations” from all government offices under the Executive Branch, provided that it “shall not put into jeopardy privacy and matters of national security.”

The FOI, established under Executive Order No. 2, series of 2016, was implemented in response to the call for transparency and full public disclosure of information.

Aside from being an anti-corruption and academic tool, Ablan said the FOI can be used for further knowledge, innovation and citizen empowerment.

“We have to develop critical thinking, and that’s where FOI comes in. Is FOI the answer for all of the fake news? Of course not. It’s just one tool in your citizen participation toolbox that we want you guys to use afterwards,” said Ablan.

After the caravan, PCOO staff assisted several students in making their own electronic FOI account, which is an online portal where requests for information can be filed.

Almost 400 students from educational institutions in Negros Oriental attended the caravan.

PCOO oversees the implementation and operationalization of the FOI Program as the government’s lead communications arm. The caravan was part of PCOO’s national campaign to raise awareness and promote the utilization of the FOI. (Jameela Antoniette Mendoza)

br />

(Back to MetroPost HOME PAGE)


 

 

Latest news

City budget is dead  — Dgte Council

    Perdices resigns as Finance Committee chair “The Motion raised by Councilor Baldado for the approval of the 2025 annual...

Comelec to put LGUs  in ‘yellow’ alert

    Majority of the cities and municipalities in Negros Oriental are likely to be placed under ‘yellow’ category for the...

Who wins?

    The City Council’s Friday special session was meant to be about one matter: approving the 2025 annual budget of...

Canlaon completes P12M infra

    despite eruption The local government of Canlaon City turned over this week more than P12 million worth of infrastructure projects...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

Coop budgets P9M for CSR

    The Perpetual Help Community Cooperative, Inc. has lined up projects this year for its community development program in Negros...

PNP augments force for May polls

    The first batch of augmentation force from the Philippine National Police that will assist in disaster response, and perform...

Must read

City budget is dead  — Dgte Council

    Perdices resigns as Finance Committee chair “The Motion raised by...

Comelec to put LGUs  in ‘yellow’ alert

    Majority of the cities and municipalities in Negros Oriental...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you