HUNDREDS of stakeholders gathered Saturday, January 14, at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City for the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Caravan 2017.
The caravan aims to encourage participation and deepen appreciation of the public in the efforts of the government in achieving a genuine change.
Communications secretary Martin Andanar said as a communication arm of the Government and a vehicle of understanding for a well-informed and enlightened citizenry, this activity is part of their effort to intensify their information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign by bringing the government to the masses.
“Kami po sa PCOO bilang taga pangasiwa ng communication ng Malacañang ang mapalad na nabigyan ng prebilihiyo upang ipaabot sa ating mamamayan ang tampok na agenda at programa ng pamahalaang Duterte,” he said.
The caravan tackled issues on the Freedom of Information (FOI) including electronic FOI and eFOI program, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security and the Asean summit 2017.
“The government respects the freedom of expression, the right to information and the public with regard to the people as partners in the pursuit of responsible and accurate information, accountability and transparency,” he said.
To date, he said, at least 131 agencies of the government have complied with FOI manuals and 15 agencies have put up a mechanism for the online access of information requested by the public.
The event was attended by representatives of the academe, the national and local government, law enforcement, media and civil society.