BASILAN Governor Mujiv Hataman today began his new term by issuing Executive Order No. 1, establishing the province’s first official policy on Freedom of Information and underscoring a governance style centered on transparency, public participation and accountability in all transactions of the provincial government.
“Bilang ating unang Executive Order, lalagdaan ko ang isang panlalawigan na Freedom of Information policy,” Hataman said during his inaugural speech today at the Basilan Provincial Capitol.
“Ito ang magiging sandigan ng malinis at tapat na pamahalaan, kung saan ang bawat transaksyon ay lantad, at bawat piso ng pondo ng bayan ay nakikita kung saan napupunta,” he added.
The landmark executive issuance formally recognizes the right of every Filipino citizen to access official records and public documents held by the provincial government of Basilan.
Hataman’s EO No. 1 draws legal grounding from the 1987 Constitution and mirrors the framework of Executive Order No. 2 issued by then President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016.
“Dito nagsisimula ang pagbabago – sa linis ng proseso, sa pagiging bukas at patas ng serbisyo,” Hataman declared.
The policy covers all departments, offices and instrumentalities under the provincial government and requires each office to designate a Freedom of Information Officer.
These officers will be responsible for processing requests, assisting the public and maintaining a log of information requests and the government’s responses.
In keeping with the goal of proactive disclosure, EO No. 1 encourages all provincial departments to publish key public documents such as budgets, procurement plans and the Annual Investment Program on the official Basilan provincial website and other accessible platforms.
Requests must be responded under a standardized process. The order mandates the use of simple written or online forms and requires an appeals mechanism to be in place for any denied requests.
Exceptions to the FOI policy are explicitly limited to those already enshrined in the Constitution or allowed under existing laws, such as matters involving national security, individual privacy or other legally recognized limitations.
The EO also directs the Provincial Legal Office to coordinate with the Department of Justice in drawing up a publicly accessible list of exceptions.
Hataman emphasized that transparency would not just be a promise but would be institutionalized through policies and measurable action.
“At ang mga prinsipyong pinanindigan na natin nang mahabang panahon, isasakongkreto natin sa mga polisiya at gawaing ipapatupad natin sa unang isandaang araw ko sa serbisyo,” he said.
To ensure sustainability, the order calls for regular capacity-building programs for public officials and employees and the rollout of a province-wide public awareness campaign to educate citizens on their right to information and how to claim it.
Compliance with EO No. 1 will be monitored by the Office of the Provincial Governor through the Provincial Administrator.
All departments are required to submit regular compliance reports as part of institutionalizing the FOI mechanism.
The executive order took effect immediately upon signing and publication.
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