House panel OKs FOI funding

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives appropriations committee approved yesterday the proposed funding for the controversial Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill.

Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, committee chairman, said his panel’s go-signal for the bill’s funding would hasten the passage of the information measure.

“It’s one critical obstacle that has been hurdled, clearing the way for the FOI Bill’s eventual approval,” he said.

Though there was no specific amount appropriated, Ungab said it was agreed that funds necessary for the implementation of the measure giving people access to information, when enacted, would be included in the budget proposals of implementing agencies.

“Those proposals will then be submitted to our committee, and we will consider them, with our decision today as our guidepost,” he added.

Authors of the FOI Bill expressed elation over the Ungab committee’s decision.

“We are happy that the funding provision has been approved by the appropriations committee. We are optimistic that the bill, when it becomes law, would enable all agencies to comply with the requirements on mandatory disclosure of information,” Rep. Barry Gutierrez of party-list group Akbayan said.

Another author, Parañaque Rep. Gustavo Tambunting, said, “It is a big leap forward. The bill should be endorsed soon to the plenary for debates and voting.”

Gutierrez said the FOI measure would now go back to the committee on public information before it is transmitted to the House for plenary consideration.

He said he and other authors are hoping the House could approve it this year.