By Rizalniño L. Noble
The Technology Application and Promotion Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI) won the most coveted title of FOI Champion under the Agencies/Bureaus/Commissions/Councils category in this year’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Awards. The FOI Champion Award is a major award given to government offices who have shown exemplary implementation of the Constitutional mandate of the people’s right to information. The award was conferred by the FOI-Program Management Office, an attached agency of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
DOST-TAPI Director, Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena, expressed her gratitude to the FOI-PMO for the recognition. “I am extremely honored to receive, on behalf of DOST-TAPI... This award is a testimony to the significance that the Executive Order No. 2, s. 2016 or EO 2, s. 2016 of then President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations of government offices like the DOST-TAPI. I am earnestly grateful for the recognition that the FOI Program Management Office (FOI-PMO) under its new home at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) had bestowed upon our humble Institution,” said Director Decena in her acceptance speech during the 2022 FOI Awarding Ceremonies held today, November 25 via the FOI Philippines’ Facebook Page.
Director Decena acknowledged the efforts of the FOI-PMO for the successful implementation of the FOI Program. “Let me start by expressing my gratitude for the tireless efforts of the FOI-PMO for advocating transparency and full public disclosure of information... Truly, without the dedicated and caring support of the men and women of the FOI-PMO, the successful implementation of the FOI in various government offices under the Executive Department such as the DOST-TAPI simply would not have been possible,” Director Decena said.
Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena’s recognition speech, expressing her warm appreciation to be given the title of FOI Champion under the Agencies/Bureaus/Commissions/Councils category in this year’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Awards under her leadership. (Screengrab from FOI Philippine Facebook Page - 2022 FOI Awards Video)
Apart from the FOI Champion Award, the Institute’s FOI Receiving Officer, Rizalniño L. Noble was also recognized as one of the Best FOI Officers in the country. The Best FOI Officer Award is given to individual/s from government agencies and institutions who have exemplified great progress and performance in the implementation of the FOI Program.
Mr. Rizalniño L. Noble’s recognition speech, expressing his warm appreciation to be given the title as one of the country’s best FOI officers award. (Screengrab from FOI Philippine Facebook Page - 2022 FOI Awards Video)
Since 2017, the DOST-TAPI have been implementing the FOI Program. “For five (5) consecutive years, we have received our Certificate of Compliance from the FOI-PMO as proof of our commitment in upholding the constitutional right of every Juan and Juana to public access to government information,” Director Decena added.
Freedom of Information (FOI) corner inside the lobby of DOST-TAPI. (Photo taken by Ms. Mirielle V. Vacal - Corporate Communication Unit)
The FOI Awards is an annual event and was established in 2017 to recognize the efforts of government agencies, individuals and organizations that contributed to the development and progress of the FOI Program in the Executive branch. On 25 October 2022, the 2022 FOI Awards Screening Committee conducted an evaluation and deliberation of the nominees and potential awardees based on the criteria provided under the FOI Memorandum Circular No. 22-02.
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