Gov’t to launch ‘freedom of information’ website Nov. 25

President Rodrigo Duterte signs the executive order operationalizing freedom of information in the executive branch on July 24, 2016. (Photo from Malacañang Presidential Communications Operations Office)

MANILA — The Duterte administration will re-launch, on Nov. 25, an online central database of all publicly available information from the government as part of the implementation of President Duterte’s executive order on freedom of information, according to Malacañang.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on Wednesday the Palace would reintroduce the website data.gov.ph, to serve as the central database.

“While the FOI Program enhances the public’s right to government information, Open Data Philippines provides the central portal where requested and proactively disclosed data and information may be accessed,” Andanar said in a statement.

At the same time, the administration will also open up an electronic FOI facility that will allow the public to lodge requests for information, and get the data they need, online, according to Andanar.

The executive order on FOI will take effect on November 25.

The eFOI platform is intended to ensure that the requests for information will be properly received, reviewed, and answered.

“It is hoped that when the eFOI platform is launched on November 25, citizens will be able to conveniently request for government data and information online,” Andanar said.

Initially, the eFOI platform will be available for a few government agencies, including the Presidential Communications Office, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Justice, and Office of the Solicitor General.

The platform is expected to be available for the other covered executive agencies by 2017 and 2018.  SFM