DFA Bags Freedom of Information Award, Among Top-Requested and Top Performing Agencies in The e-FOI Portal
The Department of Foreign Affairs’ Freedom of Information Team: (From left): FOI Focal Person Alec Chrisanti A. Arenas, FOI Assistant Allea Marione M. Manapsal, Strategic Communications Director Ralph Vincent C. Abarquez, Alternate FRO Marrianne Kae D. Buencamino, and Assistant Director Rosa Maria Ysobel M. Pareja (Photos Courtesy of Ms. Shaira Luna, PIA Facebook Page)
PASAY CITY, 25 November 2022 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was recognized as one of the “Top Requested and Performing Agencies in the e-FOI Portal” for its full implementation of the government’s Freedom of Information (FOI) campaign at the 6th Edition of the virtual FOI Awards spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency on 25 November 2022.
Last year, the DFA was recognized as FOI Champion 2nd Runner- Up in the National Government Agency Category.
The theme for this year’s FOI Summit and Awards is "Championing Access to Information Towards a Connected, Empowered, and Inclusive Nation," In his opening remarks, Philippine Information Agency Director General Ramon L. Cualoping III encouraged all FOI stakeholders to continue their hard work in pursuing the FOI advocacy. “Integrating the Public sector, Private sector, and Civil society creates an opportunity that brings together essential partnerships. Integrating their adaptive capacities strengthens the public value and social innovations leading to a sustained social impact.” said Cualoping.
“We take this recognition to heart because it is not only a testament to the Department’s commitment to transparent governance, but also a confirmation that our engagement with the Filipino public has been effective thus far,” said Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez of the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, the Office responsible for FOI inquiries.
The process of evaluation and deliberation were conducted by the FOI Awards Screening Committee, with the Office of the Executive Secretary as the Chairperson, the Philippine Librarians Association Inc. (PLAI) representing the academe, the National Press Club (NPC) representing media organizations, and the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) representing the non-governmental organizations, as members.
The FOI program is being implemented under the Executive Order (EO) No. 2 series of 2016, which operationalizes in the Executive branch the people’s right to information and to do full public disclosure and transparency in the public service. END