MANILA -- The best way to combat disinformation and fake news in today's fast-paced information dissemination era lies in the government's effective Freedom of Information (FOI) program, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said.
In his address at the 2018 FOI Summit and Awards held at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Ermita, Manila on Friday, Andanar highlighted the role of FOI as "a formidable tool for fighting fake news and a game-changer in the information dissemination process."
"FOI becomes an efficient mechanism for garnering first-hand and reliable information," Andanar said.
In the same event, PCOO Undersecretary George Apacible challenged government agencies "to place access to information in our heart -- in the core of our mind -- making it a tool for progress, a tool to end corruption, and a tool to make the lives of our countrymen comfortable."
The FOI Summit was organized by the PCOO, in partnership with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Top government offices, organizations, and private individuals were gathered and recognized for their participation that brought success to the Freedom of Information program in the Philippines.
In her speech, DBM Undersecretary Laura Pascua encouraged the crowd to work together in forming the FOI program as a catalyst for generating useful public knowledge.
The FOI Champions include the Davao City Water District, the University of the Philippines System, the National Housing Authority, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Labor and Employment.
Local government units that issued their access to information ordinances were likewise given FOI recognition awards for rolling out the FOI program at the local level. (PNA)
