ILOILO City — City government offices will soon be required to disclose public records within prescribed timelines and face administrative penalties for unjustified refusal or delay.
The Iloilo City Council approved on final reading a landmark Freedom of Information (FOI) Ordinance aimed at making City Hall more transparent and accountable to the public.
Approved on June 17, the measure establishes a formal mechanism that allows residents to access government records, official documents, procurement data, and other public information, while creating systems to ensure that requests are acted upon and not ignored.
The ordinance was approved following extensive deliberations on key provisions, including the “No Wrong Door” Policy and the establishment of a dedicated Freedom of Information Desk.
Residents may request government documents by filling out an FOI request form available in all city government offices.
Requests will be received by the office concerned, which must determine whether the request is simple or complex.
Simple requests may be acted upon immediately upon approval, while more complex requests will undergo review by the Freedom of Information Operations Office to ensure compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other applicable laws.
The Freedom of Information Operations Office will be handled by the Data Assessment and System Management Office (DASMO) under the Office of the City Mayor. Requests requiring further evaluation will be endorsed to the office for processing.
The ordinance also creates the Central Appeals and Review Committee (CARC), which will hear appeals from individuals whose requests for information are denied. The committee will be chaired by the city mayor and will include representatives from city government offices, civil society organizations, and the media sector.
Among the ordinance’s key provisions are the automatic disclosure of government financial and procurement records, mandatory acceptance and referral of FOI requests under the “No Wrong Door” policy, fixed processing timelines, and administrative sanctions against officials who fail to comply with the measure. Once enacted, it is expected to enhance public oversight of government operations and strengthen trust in local governance.
The FOI Ordinance is principally authored by Councilor Sheen Marie Mabilog and co-authored by councilors Jose Maria “Nene” De lla Llana and Sedfrey Cabaluna.
“Dako gid ini nga milestone para sa siyudad sang Iloilo kay diri naton mas mabantayan ang city government. Isa ini ka tikang batok sa korapsyon kag para mangin mas informed ang aton nga mga pumuluyo,” Mabilog said.
Dela Llana hailed the measure’s approval, saying it strengthens the public’s right to know.
“Its passage is a win for transparency, accountability, and every citizen’s right to know. I’m happy I was able to defend it on the floor,” Dela Llana said./PN
