The resolution passed by the Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CDN PHOTO/DORIS BONGCAC)
The Cebu City-Press Council (CCPC) passed a resolution during its 44th quarterly meeting urging local government units of Cebu to uphold transparency by implementing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Executive Order No. 02 series 2016 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 23, 2016.
The EO on FOI primarily covers all government officers under the Executive Branch, but encourages LGUs to “observe and be guided” by the EO.
The CCPC requests that LGUs in the province and cities of Cebu help promote the intent of the president’s EO by providing a speedy and simplified system in terms of releasing information, posting announcements and documents in the LGU’s respective, and e-mailing urgent information to media outlets.
They also called for specific criteria or guidelines for authorized public officers to decide on the release of information with due consideration on the urgency of deadlines observed by media outlets and opening a line of consulation with the public on problems that may arise in implementing the EO.