ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Dec 2 (PIA) – Cited as the first and only local government with ordinances on the Freedom of Information (FOI) that are enacted down at the barangay levels, the City Government of Isabela de Basilan launched its Barangay Transparency Ordinance, recently.

The FOI is a government mechanism that promotes further the right of citizens’ access to relevant information that will help them improve their lives. This was given high priority during the time of President Duterte when he signed Executive Order No. 2 on July 23, 2016, upholding the constitutional rights of people to information on matters of public concern.

Believing on the value of information, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman has made it her mantra that when people are well-informed, “half of your job is done.”

Mayor Hataman led the launching on Tuesday (Nov 29) during the FOI Conference its Freedom of Information Ordinance known as Barangay Transparency Ordinance. As of this writing, 29 out of 45 barangays, have already enacted and passed the said ordinance.

In her message, FOI Program Director Krizia Casey P. Avejar of the Philippine Information Agency lauded the efforts of Isabela City for being the first and only LGU nationwide with Barangay Information Ordinance in support to Freedom of Information.

“Through FOI sure po tayo na yong information na makukuha natin ay reliable and credible. Yan po yong tamang information na dapat pong ginagamit natin. At the same time we also want also to teach our children na makapag decide ng maayos through factual information," Director Abejar said.

These 29 barangays were recognized as Freedom of Information Champions during the FOI Conference in Isabela City. Plaques of recognition were awarded citing their support to promote transparency and good governance in Isabela City.