THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) announced on Tuesday, April 24, the approval of for the establishment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) desks in all police regional offices.

Rogelio Casurao, vice-chairman and executive officer, said the FOI desks which will be under the Public Information Division (PID) of the PNP Directorate for Police-Community Relations (DPCR) will be responsible for handling, receiving, evaluating, processing, dispatching and monitoring actions and responses to all requests for access to PNP-related information within their respective areas of responsibility.

He said the approval of the activation of the FOI desks which is under Resolution No. 2018-182, dated April 17, 2018, will promote transparency of information to the public.

“The creation of the FOI Section is geared towards further enhancing the PNP’s capability and efficiency in performing its mandated functions in line with the government’s Freedom of Information Program as provided for under Executive Order No. 02,” said Casurao.

“It also serves as the primary medium for promoting transparency and open exchange of information from the PNP organization to the public,” he added.

Casurao said the FOI desks shall be initially manned by 2,157 uniformed personnel composed of 124 Police Commissioned Officers (PCOs) and 2,033 Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs).

He said a copy of the resolution has been submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to serve as basis for the provision of supplemental budget for the recruitment of 2,033 non-uniformed Personnel who shall replace the PNCO complement.

The Napolcom’s resolution was issued amid the PNP’s bid to prove the constitutionality of its anti-illegal drugs operations such as the Oplan Tokhang and Oplan Double Barrel. (SunStar Philippines)