Newly-elected Mayor Bong Siena in a statement delivered during the inaugural session of the 16th Sanggunian of the Municipality of Buenavista the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) and adoption of an open governance policy here.
Siena said transparency in governance is pursuant to the 1987 Constitution, “particularly Section 28, Article 2, requiring the State, subject to reasonable conditions, to adopt and implement a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.”
Siena also pointed to an existing ordinance providing for a local mechanism for people’s right to information, which he said should be “respected and upheld.”
Social media, the mayor said, has brought a new era where modern technology bridges the gap in communications, allowing people to “actively participate on matters pertaining to the disbursement of public funds.”
Siena, who said transparency will be the core of his administration, ordered the Sanggunian to craft and establish an FOI Transparency Board and online platforms to publish and make these public and official records, as well as the local government’s projects, programs, and activities, readily available to the public.
