The City Government of San Fernando, La Union, underwent a Freedom of Information (FOI) Workshop with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) for the proper implementation of the City Ordinance No. 2021-01 or the City of San Fernando Freedom of Information Ordinance at the Agtutubo Conference, Marcos Building on November 6-7, 2024.

The City Government was re-introduced to the key concepts of FOI, including its exceptions and latest circulars. Following this, key offices from the City Government defined the FOI structure of the city and conceptualized its FOI system with the guidance of the PCO.

In addition, PCO also discussed the e-FOI Portal with the City Government in anticipation that the local government enrolls in the FOI system of the PCO. Furthermore, guidelines for the FOI implementation were also drafted during the workshop together with the civil society organization representatives.

The city’s FOI Ordinance was inspired by Executive Order No. 02 or the Executive Order on Freedom of Information from the Office of the President of the Philippines which aims to promote an open government by increasing the transparency of the executive branch and its agencies.

This workshop was made possible through the linkage of the City Government with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its partnership for the CHANGE Project.

Kakabsat, the City Government values access to information for it contributes to strengthening transparency and integrity here in the #PeoplesCity of #SanFernandoTayo.