MANILA, Philippines--Congress might pass the Freedom of Information bill before it goes on long break again next month, a lawmaker said Thursday.

Quezon Representative Lorenzo ?Erin? Tañada III, one of the main authors of the bill, said the panel of senators and congressmen agreed on reconciled version of the measure after a meeting.

When FOI becomes a law, ordinary citizens will have access to information such as documents on matters of public concern from all branches of government.

?The enactment of this bill into law is long overdue. Citizen?s access to information is one fundamental right which is critical for transparent governance and informed participation to nation-building by the people. It would be an important legacy of the 14th Congress once this bill becomes law,? Tañada said in a statement.

The bill covers government agencies and provides a list of information that should be disclosed to the public, with only few exceptions.

These exceptions, however, may be reversed ?when there is greater public interest? involved in the disclosure, Tañada said.

A ?clear, uniform and speedy procedure? was also stated in the bill for access to information. The measure also contains a provision for the automatic disclosure of transactions of public concern as required by Section 28, Article II of the Constitution.

?We proscribe against excessive costs of access to information. In place is a system of accessible and speedy remedies that a citizen who has been denied access to information may resort to. We instituted mechanisms to promote a culture of openness within government, and to enhance not only the physical accessibility of information, but its understandability by the general public as well. Finally, there is a clear administrative, criminal and civil liability for violation of the right to information,? Tañada said.

The panel of senator who participated in the bicameral meeting late Wednesday, namely, Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Pia Cayetano have signed the reconciled version.

Tanada said the bill only needs the signature of the panel members of the House of Representatives, including, Representatives BienvenidoAbante, Eduardo Zialcita, Cinchona Cruz-Gonzalez, Rodolfo Antonino, Jesus Crispin Remulla, Rodante Marcoleta, so that it could be submitted to both chambers for ratification.