MBC Calls for FOI Law to Achieve “Data Driven” Vision for PH, on International Day for Universal Access to Information

28 September 2022 – On the International Day for Universal Access to Information, MBC calls on lawmakers to enact a national Freedom of Information Law to empower the Philippines to be the “data-driven” society envisioned by President Marcos and other government and civic leaders. We urge governors, mayors, and Sanggunian to pass FOI ordinances that will help this culture spread and take root throughout the country.

In his first State of the Nation Address, President Marcos set the goal for the government to have “good and solid data to ensure informed decision-making.” An FOI Law and FOI ordinances will ensure all citizens have the same, giving government agencies added impetus to fulfill the President’s vision. As importantly, it would enable organizations and citizens to make the decisions that can improve their lives and accelerate national progress.

In the U.S. and other countries, business is the No. 1 user of FOI laws. This access to governments’ unequaled volume of information and data helps spur economic development, scientific innovation, more jobs, and better lives. This is why in 2021, 20 Philippine business groups signed a joint statement asking Congress to pass an FOI Law.

We applaud President Duterte for issuing an FOI EO in 2016, for 61 LGUs passing their own FOI ordinances: We call on organizations and citizens to avail of these rights and processes to embed the culture in the public and private sectors. We applaud the House of Representatives for producing a committee report in 2021: We call on Congress to reopen and advance discussions this year, and bring themselves closer to a landmark legislative achievement.

#PassFOINow #MBCFOI