Announcement of Freedom of Information policy signals start of Hataman's tenure as Basilan governor
In a significant move towards fostering transparency and accountability in Basilan province, Governor Mujiv Hataman has issued Executive Order (EO) 1 on his first day in office, establishing the first official policy of Basilan on Freedom of Information (FOI). This policy mirrors the framework of Executive Order 2 issued by then President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016.
The FOI policy covers all departments, offices, and instrumentalities under the Provincial Government of Basilan. Each office is required to designate a Freedom of Information officer who will be responsible for processing requests, assisting the public, and maintaining a log of information requests and the government's responses. Compliance with the EO will be monitored by the Office of the Provincial Governor through the provincial administrator.
Governor Hataman plans to launch 'Mujiv Live', a platform for the people to report directly using technology, further enhancing transparency and encouraging community participation. This initiative, along with the FOI policy, is expected to serve as an important tool for fostering trust between the local government and the citizens, promoting good governance, and encouraging community participation.
The policy emphasizes a government centered on transparency and accountability. Governor Hataman stated that every transaction and every peso of public funds will be transparent under the new policy. He further added that the policy will be the foundation of a clean and honest government.
Basilan, which has recently emerged from conflict and is striving for peace and development under Governor Hataman’s leadership, stands to benefit significantly from this policy. The FOI policy aims to institutionalize transparency by providing public access to government information and documents, thereby enhancing accountability and reducing corruption.
However, since the search results lack precise details about Governor Hataman’s FOI policy, its framework, or measurable impacts on transparency and accountability in Basilan, it is not yet clear how these goals will be achieved in practice. To obtain detailed and up-to-date information, it may be necessary to consult official Basilan provincial government releases, local government websites, or contact the provincial administration directly.
In addition to the FOI policy, Governor Hataman has also announced a listening tour around Basilan to directly listen and understand the problems of the average Basileños. He has also stated that they will be advised by a People’s Council, not by a cordon sanitaire or people close to them, further demonstrating his commitment to transparency and accountability.
The new provincial government center in Sta. Clara village, Lamitan City, Basilan, which was a project of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), serves as a physical testament to Governor Hataman's dedication to improving governance in Basilan. As the first governor of Basilan to hold office at the government center, which was built during his term as the then government of Armm in 2018, Governor Hataman's leadership is poised to bring about positive changes in the province.
In conclusion, Governor Mujiv Hataman's FOI policy, along with his other initiatives, represents a significant step towards fostering transparency, accountability, and good governance in Basilan. As more details about the policy become available, it will be interesting to see how these goals are achieved and how they impact the province's development.
The FOI policy in Basilan, under Governor Mujiv Hataman, extends to all departments, offices, and instrumentalities of the Provincial Government of Basilan, and each office is required to designate a Freedom of Information officer to process requests and maintain a log of information requests. (1)
Governor Hataman's FOI policy aims to institutionalize transparency by providing public access to government information, thus reducing corruption and fostering trust between the local government and citizens. (2)
