By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—Responding to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s call for transparent governance, the Ilocos Norte government set specific guidelines to allow every resident here to have access to information, official and public records and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions of local government offices and officials.
Under the Freedom of Information (FOI) ordinance approved by the Sanggunian Panlalawigan on September 14, the provincial legal officer is tasked to prepare the necessary guidelines for the different provincial departments, offices and units including barangay governments to follow in determining which particular information, official or public record is not covered or needs a court order or approval before it can be released to the requesting party.
As a general rule, any person who request for access to information shall submit a written request to the office concerned, clearly stating the purpose and specific description of the information requested, provide valid identification including address and contact number of the requesting party.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the said ordinance shall subject the offender to a fine of P5,000 for first offense and imprisonment not to exceed six months for second offense or up to one year for third offense.