Freedom of information will widen access to govt services

By Noel Baguio

Mindanao Media Forum Convenor and Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia Bandiola urges the public to support calls for the Congress to immediately pass the Freedom of Information Bill at the Davao del Norte Capitol convocation program. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – The Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill will pave the way for more efficient access to government services if enacted into law.

A Davao City-based journalist said that aside from being a highly effective tool in exposing corruption, FOI will also facilitate greater participation in governance and better delivery of government programs and services if the people know what projects and assistance are available in their areas.

“The FOI would help ordinary citizens effectively avail of government services and programs, such as housing, health, education, livelihood, etc.,” Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia M. Bandiola said.

Bandiola, was invited to speak on the FOI before provincial officials and employees at the recent Convocation Program at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, with the theme “Confidentiality and the People’s Right to Know: The Right Balance”.

The Convenor of the Mindanao Media Forum, said the measure, which is now called People’s Ownership over Government Information (POGI), will promote greater transparency in government, which is the first defense against corruption.

“The FOI is the people’s best defense against corruption and it is an important pillar of a healthy democracy,” she said.

Bandiola bared the piece of legislation, which invokes the Constitutional right to have access to official records, documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions and government research data, will not only benefit the media, but the whole citizenry, as well.

She further urged the public to support calls for Congress to pass the pending bill.

In a speech read by Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario said that as truthful, accurate and up-to-date information are very important to the mass media, the challenge now is “how to achieve balance between confidential information and public matters.”

(From left) Davao del Norte Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr. Mindanao Media Forum Convenor and Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia Bandiola, OIC Provincial Administrator, Board Member Hernani Duco, OIC Prov'l Information Officer Romulo Tagalo, and Board Member Dr. Daniel Lu after the convocation program that tackled the Freedom of Information Bill. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr. hands over the token to Mindanao Media Forum Convenor and Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia Bandiola, who spoke on Freedom of Information Bill at the Davao del Norte Capitol convocation program. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr., left, ushers Mindanao Media Forum Convenor and Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia Bandiola, center, and former Department of Energy Asst. Secretary Leonilo Lariosa at the recent convocation program at the Bulwagan. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO