August 19, 2026— The City Government of Danao is strengthening the implementation of its Freedom of Information (FOI) system, laying down clearer procedures for citizens to access government-held information and participate more meaningfully in local governance.
The city convened Department Decision Makers (DDMs) and designated FOI Associates from various offices for a whole-day FOI Implementation Workshop on Wednesday at the City’s Evacuation and Training Center, focusing on the practical systems and responsibilities needed to ensure that information requests are handled consistently, lawfully, and responsibly.
The activity strengthens the implementation of Danao City Ordinance No. 2023-17-020, which institutionalized the city’s FOI policy in 2023. While the ordinance established the local framework for public access to government information, the current effort focuses on strengthening the processes and personnel that will make the policy more responsive and workable in actual practice.
“Information is not only a right of the people; it is also a tool that allows communities to understand, participate, and contribute to decisions that affect their lives,” Mayor Ramon “Nito” D. Durano III said.
The workshop covered four key areas— the Danao City FOI Ordinance, FOI Exceptions, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and the actual processing of information requests.
City Information Officer Michelle Parawan-Mondigo led the discussions on the FOI Ordinance and its IRR, while Atty. Jose Maria Emmanuel Alonzo of the City Legal Services Office discussed the legal considerations governing the disclosure and withholding of information, including exceptions intended to protect confidential and sensitive data.
Participants also underwent practical simulations of the FOI process—from receiving and documenting a request, identifying and evaluating the information being sought, determining whether it may be disclosed, and making the appropriate decision to release, partially release, or deny a request based on established rules.
The exercises underscored that FOI is not the responsibility of a single office. Its effective implementation depends on the coordinated action of department heads, decision makers, FOI Associates, and other personnel who handle government records and information.
For the city, strengthening the FOI system is part of building a more open and participatory local government. Access to reliable government information can help citizens understand public programs, monitor government action, raise informed concerns, and take part in discussions on matters that affect their communities.
The initiative is also anchored on Danao City’s Connectivity Agenda, which recognizes access to information as an important link between government and the people it serves. In this context, connectivity goes beyond communication—it also means creating systems through which citizens can obtain information, understand government processes, and engage in governance.
As Danao City moves from having an FOI policy on paper toward stronger day-to-day implementation, the city seeks to establish a culture where openness is supported by clear procedures, responsible disclosure, and respect for legitimate limitations on access.
The goal is not simply to process FOI requests, but to make government information more accessible, understandable, and useful to the people—strengthening the connection between an informed citizenry and a government that listens, responds, and remains accountable to the community.
Access the Danao City’s FOI here: https://danaocity.gov.ph/foi/
danaocity.gov.ph
