Communication group wants Aquino to certify FOI bill as urgent

MANILA, Philippines—In its annual conference on Friday, the (PCS), also known as the Society, will focus on the importance of access to information vis-à-vis the ongoing discussions and deliberations on the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

With the theme “Preserving and Promoting Communication through Access to Information,” the conference will also stress the Society’s support for FOI and the People’s Bill.

In 2012, the PCS became a member of the Right to Know! Right Now! Coalition which pushed for the enactment of the bill and urged President Aquino to certify it as urgent.

Founding president of the PCS and concurrent president emeritus of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid will keynote and set the tone of the conference.

She will also be presented with the first PCS award for her exemplary contribution to communication and media development in the Philippines.

Other speakers are staunch FOI and press freedom advocates lawyer Nepomuceno Malaluan and Rowena Carranza Paraan who will give updates on the status and strategic plans to further push Congress and the President to pass the law.