The Procurement Service is a partner of the people in upholding the public’s right to access government information. | Internet Photo courtesy of Pexels
The Philippine Government recognizes democracy as one of the basic foundations of society, but it remains an abstract concept until it is realized.
Defined as the rule of the majority, democracy vests power in the Filipino people to directly participate in the country’s political affairs, consequently affecting the ways of how the nation is governed.
Along with the right and privilege to participate is the responsibility to make informed decisions, and that is what the Freedom of Information (FOI) is for: keeping the public informed.
In recognition of its efforts to implement FOI for the year 2018, the Procurement Service (PS) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has recently been awarded the Certificate of Compliance by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), the government body that oversees the operationalization of the FOI Program.
“PS stands as the central procuring arm of the government, faithful to its mandate and its vision as the procurer of choice, it is imperative for PS to not only comply with, but to champion, Freedom of Information,” said Atty. Michelle Anne Recto, PS FOI Decision Maker.
The requirements to determine PS’ compliance to the FOI Program were set forth by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Harmonization of National Government Performance, Monitoring, Information, and Reporting Systems through Administrative Order (AO) No. 25 s. 2011. The AO’s priority included stronger public accountability and more inclusive public service.
Its implementation was further reinforced by Executive Order No. 2 s. 2016 which mandated every government office to have “People’s FOI Manual,” in acknowledgment of the fundamental role of free flow and open exchange of information in a democratic setting. It also stated that failure to comply with the provisions may be a ground for administrative and disciplinary sanctions.
PCOO accords the Compliance Award on a yearly basis, and the PS has always been recognized since the FOI Program began.
Know Now, Know How
FOI, furthermore, is the people’s constitutional right to have access to government’s records, transactions, operations, and state policies involving public interest. It also is the government’s response to call for full public disclosure of information — provided that it shall not put in jeopardy matters of privacy and national security.
With the FOI, the Filipino people can demand the government to provide copies of official and public records, documents, reports, letters, contracts, electronic or computer stored data, research materials, sound and video recording, and even minutes and transcripts of meetings, among others — subject to reasonable conditions and exceptions prescribed by existing laws and jurisprudence.
In respect to the law, the PS has updated its FOI Manual published on November 26, 2019. It shall come as no surprise when PS soon receives another Compliance Award.
“PS has committed to preserve the integrity, promote transparency and efficiency of procurement processes… The PS FOI Committee has duly submitted its monitoring reports and requirements in full. It is with great anticipation that we await the second formal certification,” said Atty. Recto.
The Procurement Service Freedom of Information Manual (PSFM) details the standard procedure to be followed in requesting information from the PS.
The Requesting Party must request in writing, indicating proof of identification, and describing the information being requested and the purpose of which. After receipt of the request, the designated PS FOI Receiving Officer shall evaluate the letter’s contents. Upon assessment, and if deemed necessary by the designated PS FOI Decision Maker, the Requesting Party will immediately be notified that the request is approved.
A request is most likely denied when PS does not have the information, if the information contains sensitive personal details, if the information falls under the list of exceptions to FOI, or the information access has previously been granted or denied by PS.
The latest count of the PS FOI Committee amounted to about 60 requests, and the information often asked are centered on the progress of procurement projects and their respective documentations.
The Procurement Service has been receiving requests for information since 2017. | Internet Photo courtesy of Pexels
The PSFM also touches on the manual’s definition of terms, promotion of openness in government, protection of privacy, remedies in case of denial of requests, fees, and administrative liabilities, among others.
The PS’ compliance with the FOI Program is further manifested in its regular publication and dissemination of true, accurate, and latest reports. The FOI Seal is also displayed on the website. But all of these are nothing but mere initiatives without citizen participation.
“Be inquisitive, be involved… We invite the citizens to participate, observe, and exercise the rights bestowed upon them. It is through such openness that we foster progress. PS and its FOI Committee are here: openly, honestly, and efficiently procuring for a better, more progressive Philippines – one procurement at a time,” Atty. Recto encouraged.
The PS upholds a people-centered governance by making sure that all requests for information are fully and timely responded to. Download the PS FOI Request Form here. Know more about the PSFM here. Visit the government-wide portal for request for information here.