The Freedom of Information (FOI) Program of the Province of South Cotabato affirms every citizen’s right to access government-held information—a vital component of transparent and accountable governance.
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Program of the Province of South Cotabato affirms every citizen’s right to access government-held information—a vital component of transparent and accountable governance.
Through the FOI, individuals can formally request data, records, and documents from the Provincial Government, ensuring that public information is open, accessible, and shared responsibly.
South Cotabato was among the first local governments in Mindanao to adopt and implement the FOI Program in 2019, aligning with the principles of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). This initiative reinforces the province’s long-standing commitment to honesty, integrity, and citizen participation in governance.
Citizens may visit the FOI Corner to learn how to file a request, download forms, and view reports on processed information requests.
Transparency is our commitment. Access to information is your right.
A key feature of our governance model is our partnership with civil society organizations (CSOs).
We do not only involve them in government processes; we equip them through the CSO Academy, ensuring that citizen representatives are informed, capable, and truly empowered to participate in local decision-making.
There must always be checks and balances, redundancy, and transparency to eliminate corruption at every level of government.
Freedom of Information (FOI) is the government’s response to the call for transparency and full public disclosure of information. FOI is a government mechanism which allows Filipino citizens to request any information about the government transactions and operations, provided that it shall not put into jeopardy privacy and matters of national security.
The FOI mechanism for the Executive Branch is enabled by the Executive Order No. 2, series of 2016.
Executive Order No. 2 is the enabling of the FOI. EO 2 operationalizes the Executive Branch of the People’s Constitutional right to Information. EO 2 also provides the State policies to the full public disclosure and transparency in the public service.
EO 2 was signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on July 23, 2016.
The Presidential Communications Operations Officer (PCOO) oversees the operation of the FOI program. PCOO serves as the coordinator of all government agencies to ensure that the FOI program is properly implemented.
Any Filipino citizen can make an FOI request. As a matter of policy, requestors are required to present a proof of identification.
Information, official records, public records, and, documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions, as well as government research data used as basis policy development.
An FOI request under EO 2 can be made before all government offices under the Executive Branch, including government owned controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs).
FOI request must be sent to the specific agency of interest, to be received by its respective Receiving Officer.
There are no fees to make a request. But the agency may charge a reasonable fee for necessary costs, including cost of printing, reproduction and/or photocopying.
You will be receiving a response, either granting or denying your request.
If the request is granted, the information requested will be attached, using a format that you specified. Otherwise, the agency will explain why the request is denied.
It is mandated that all replies shall be sent fifteen (15) working days after the receipt of the request. The agency will be sending a response, informing of an extension of the processing period no longer than twenty (20) working days, should the need arise.
In such a case, failure of the agency to provide a response within fifteen (15) working days is deemed a denial of the request, the Requestor may write an appeal letter to the Central Appeals and Review Committee within fifteen (15) calendar days from the lapse of the required response period. The appeal shall be decided within thirty (30) working days by the Central Appeals and the Review Committee.
If all administrative remedies are exhausted and no resolution is provided, requestors may file the appropriate case in the proper courts in accordance with the Rules of the Court.
If you are not satisfied with the response, the Requestor may write an appeal letter to the Central Appeals and the Review Committee within fifteen (15) calendar days from the lapse of the required response period. The appeal shall be decided within thirty (30) working days by the Central Appeals and Review Committee.
If all administrative remedies are exhausted and no resolution provided, requestors may file the appropriate case in the proper courts in accordance within the Rules of the Court.
