Po 0141 Ordinance Freedom of Information 1

Republic of the Philippines
HERITAGE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR

Vigan City
11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan
Vice Governor:
EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE 16TH REGULAR
Hon. Ryan Luis V. Singson, MPA SESSION OF THE 11TH SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN OF
Presiding Officer ILOCOS SUR HELD AT THE SESSION HALL, PROVINCIAL
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members: FARMERS LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
(LEGISLATIVE BUILDING) ON NOVEMBER 22, 2022
Hon. Ericson G. Singson, M.D.
Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr. PROVINCIAL ORDINANCE NO. 0141

Series of 2022
Hon. Ronnie R. Rapanut
Sponsored by:
Hon. Christopher Abraham R. Baterina Hon. Leopoldo G. Gironella Jr.
Hon. Mildred M. Elaydo
Hon. Art Constantine U. Oandasan, M.D.
AN ORDINANCE STRENGTHENING THE
Hon. Benjamin N. Maggay OPERATIONALIZATION OF FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS
Hon. Virginia Cordero-Pe Benito
SUR AND PROVIDING GUIDELINES THEREOF
Hon. Leopoldo G. Gironella, Jr.
WHEREAS, as a universal and fundamental human right

Hon. Francisco Arturo O. Ranches III
recognized around the world, access to information is further
supported by Article 19 of both the Universal Declaration on Human
Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Ex Officio Members:
which provides that every person shall have the right to freedom of
(On Official Business) expression and to seek and impart information;
Hon. Jaime “Jimboy” M. Singson, MDE
WHEREAS, Section 7, Article III of the 1987 Constitution of

Hon. Constante V. Benzon
the Republic of the Philippines guarantees the right of the people to
information on matters of public concern;
Hon. Janina Joyce P. Tabios
Hon. Elpidio A. Quines, Sr. WHEREAS, President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Executive
Order No. 2 on July 23, 2016 entitled “Operationalizing in the
Attested:
Executive Branch the People’s Right to Information and the State
Policies to Full Public Disclosure and Transparency in the Public
Atty. Maria Ellen D. Cabatu, CPA, CESE
Provincial Secretary Service and Providing Guidelines Therefor”;
Approved:
WHEREAS, the said Executive Order is limited in scope to
Hon. Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson government offices under the Executive Branch, and merely enjoins
Governor Local Government Units (LGUs) to observe and be guided
Date signed: accordingly;
Provincial Ordinance No. 0141, S2022

Page 1 of 8
Vigan City
Vice Governor:
Hon. Ryan Luis V. Singson, MPA

WHEREAS, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur (PGIS)
Presiding Officer recognizes the policy of the State to adopt and implement a policy of
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members: full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest
subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law;
WHEREAS, one of the priority programs of the Province is
Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr. the improvement of public access to information which intends to
revolutionize local governance by making the province electronically
Hon. Ronnie R. Rapanut enabled thereby improving the delivery of public service, promoting
transparency in government transactions and increasing public access
Hon. Christopher Abraham R. Baterina to government information services;
Hon. Art Constantine U. Oandasan, M.D. WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of the people’s right
to government information, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur
Hon. Benjamin N. Maggay
deems it necessary to provide a local mechanism for its offices where
the people’s right to information is respected and upheld, subject to
exemptions provided by law and jurisprudence;
BE IT ORDAINED, by the 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of
Hon. Francisco Arturo O. Ranches III Ilocos Sur, in session duly assembled, on motion of Hon. Leopoldo G.
Gironella Jr, DULY SECONDED by Hon. Ericson G. Singson and
Hon. Mildred M. Elaydo Hon. Virginia Cordero Pe-Benito, that:
Ex Officio Members:
SECTION 1. Title. This Ordinance shall be known as the
(On Official Business)
“Freedom of Information (FOI) Ordinance of 2022.”
Hon. Constante V. Benzon SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this
Ordinance, the following terms shall mean:
(a) “Information” shall mean any records, document, papers,
Hon. Elpidio A. Quines, Sr.
reports, letters, contracts, minutes and transcripts of official
meetings, maps, books, photographs, data, research materials,
Attested: films, sound and video recording, magnetic or other tapes,
electronic data, computer stored data, any other like or similar
Atty. Maria Ellen D. Cabatu, CPA, CESE data or material recorded, stored or archived in whatever format,
Provincial Secretary whether offline or online, which are made, received, or kept in or
Approved: under the control and custody of any government office under the
PGIS pursuant to law, ordinance, executive order, and rules and
regulations or in connection with the performance or transaction
Hon. Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson
Governor of official business by any government office under the PGIS.
Date signed:

Page 2 of 8
Vigan City
Vice Governor:

Presiding Officer (b) “Official record” shall refer to information produced or
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members: received by a public officer or employee, or by a government
office in official capacity or pursuant to public function or duty.
(c) “Public record” shall include information required by laws,
Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr. executive orders, rules or regulations to be entered, kept and
made publicly available by a government office.
SECTION 3. Coverage. This Ordinance shall cover all
Hon. Christopher Abraham R. Baterina government offices under the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur.
Hon. Art Constantine U. Oandasan, M.D. SECTION 4. Access to Information. Every Filipino resident
of the Province of Ilocos Sur shall have access to information, official
Hon. Benjamin N. Maggay records, public records and to documents and papers pertaining to
official acts, transactions or decisions, as well as to government
Hon. Virginia Cordero-Pe Benito research data used as basis for policy development, in the custody of
the PGIS or any of its offices.
SECTION 5. Exceptions. Access to information shall be

denied when the information falls under any of the exemptions
enshrined in the Philippine Constitution, existing law, or
jurisprudence.
Ex Officio Members:
(On Official Business) Pursuant to this, the Provincial Legal Office is directed to
prepare a local inventory of FOI exceptions and submit the same to the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan within thirty (30) calendar days from the
date of effectivity of this Ordinance, for its approval.

Thereafter, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretariat shall
cause the publication of the local inventory of FOI exceptions for the
guidance of all government offices covered by this Ordinance. Said
Attested:
local inventory of FOI exceptions shall be periodically updated by the
Provincial Legal Office and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Provincial Secretary
SECTION 6. Availability of Statement of Assets, Liabilities
Approved:
and Net Worth (SALN). Subject to the provisions contained in
Sections 4 and 5 of this Ordinance, all public officials of the PGIS are
Governor reminded of their obligation to file and make available for scrutiny
Date signed: their SALN in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations,
and the spirit and letter of this Ordinance.
Page 3 of 8
Vigan City
Vice Governor:
Vice Governor:

(On Leave)
Hon. Ryan Luis V.Officer
Presiding Singson, MPA
SECTION 7. Application and Interpretation. There shall be
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members:
a legal presumption in favor of access to information, public records
and official records. No request for information shall be denied unless
Presiding Officer it clearly falls under any of the exemptions in the inventory of FOI
Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr.
exemptions. The PGIS shall adopt the “disclose to one, disclose to
Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr. all” policy for the information requested through this Ordinance and
Hon. Ronnie R. Rapanut shall exercise proactive disclosure of information not subject to the
Hon. Ronnie R. Rapanut exemptions.
Hon. Christopher Abraham R. Baterina
Hon. Christopher Abraham R. Baterina The determination of applicability of any of the exemptions to
Hon. Art Constantine U. Oandasan, M.D. the request shall be the responsibility of the Head of Office, which is
in custody or control of the information, public record or official
Hon. Benjamin N. Maggay record, or the responsible Provincial or field officer duly designated by
him/her in writing.
In making such determination, the Head of Office or his/her
Hon. Leopoldo G. Gironella, Jr. designated officer shall exercise reasonable diligence to ensure that no
exemption shall be used or availed of to deny any request for
Hon. Francisco Arturo O. Ranches III information or access to public records, or official records if the denial
is intended primarily and purposely to cover up a crime, wrongdoing,
Hon. Mildred M. Elaydo graft or corruption.
Ex Officio Members:
Ex Officio Members:
(On Official Business) SECTION 8. Protection of Privacy. While providing access
(On Leave)
to information, public records, and official records, responsible
officials shall afford full protection to the right to privacy of the
Hon. Constante V. Benzon individual, pursuant to the Data Privacy Act of 2021 (Republic Act
No. 10173), as follows:
(a) Each government office shall ensure that personal
Hon. Elpidio A. Quines, Sr. information in its custody or under its control is disclosed or
Attested:
Attested:
released only if it is material or relevant to the subject matter of
the request and its disclosure is permissible under this Ordinance
Atty. Maria Provincial
Ellen D. Cabatu,
SecretaryCPA, CESE or existing law, rules or regulations;
Approved:
Approved: (b) Each government office must protect personal
information in its custody or control by making reasonable
Governor security arrangement against leaks or premature disclosure or
Date signed: Governor personal information, which unduly expose the individual, whose
Date signed:
personal information is requested, to vilification, harassment or
Page 4 of 8
Vigan City
Vice Governor:
any other wrongful acts.

Presiding Officer
(c) Any employee, official or director of a government
office who has access, authorized or unauthorized to personal
information in the custody of the office, must not disclose that
information except when authorized under this Ordinance or
Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr. pursuant to existing laws, rules or regulation.
Hon. Ronnie R. Rapanut SECTION 9. Procedure. The following procedure shall

govern the filing and processing of request for access to information:
(a) Any person who requests access to information shall submit
Hon. Art Constantine U. Oandasan, M.D. a written request to Provincial Public Information Office
(PPIO) or the Government Office concerned. The request shall
state the name and contact information of the requesting party,
provide valid proof of his identification or authorization,
reasonably describe the information requested, and the reason
for, or purpose of, the request for information: Provided, that
no request shall be denied or refused acceptance unless the
Hon. Leopoldo G. Gironella, Jr. reason for the request is contrary to law, existing rules and
regulations or it is one of the exceptions.
(b) The Public Officer receiving the request shall be designated
Hon. Mildred M. Elaydo the FOI Receiving Officer and shall provide reasonable
assistance, free of charge, to enable all requesting parties and
Ex Officio Members:
particularly those with special needs, to comply with the
(On Official Business) request requirements under this Section.
(c) The request shall be stamped by the PPIO or concerned

Hon. Constante V. Benzon office, indicating the date and time of receipt and the name,
rank, title and position of the FOI Receiving Officer with
Hon. Janina Joyce P. Tabios corresponding signature, and a copy thereof furnished to the
requesting party. Each office shall establish a system to trace
Hon. Elpidio A. Quines, Sr. the status of all requests for information received by it.
Attested:
(d) The PPIO or concerned office shall respond to a request
fully compliant with requirements of sub-section (a) hereof as
Atty. Maria Ellen D. Cabatu, CPA, CESE soon as practicable but not exceeding fifteen (15) working days
from the receipt thereof.
Approved:
(e) The period to respond may be extended whenever the
Hon. Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson information requested requires extensive search of the office’s
Governor records facilities, examination of voluminous records, the
Date signed: occurrence of fortuitous cases or other analogous cases. The
PPIO or concerned office shall notify the person making the

Page 5 of 8
Vigan City
Vice Governor: request of the extension, setting forth the reasons for such
extension. In no case shall the extension go beyond twenty
Hon. Ryan Luis V. Singson, MPA (20)
Presiding Officer
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members: working days unless exceptional circumstances warrant a

longer
Hon. Ericson G. Singson, M.D. period.
Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr. (f) Once a decision is made to grant the request, the person
making the request shall be notified of such decision and
Hon. Ronnie R. Rapanut directed to pay any applicable fees.
Hon. Christopher Abraham R. Baterina SECTION 10. Fees. (a) Government offices shall not charge
any fee for accepting requests for access to information. Likewise,
Hon. Art Constantine U. Oandasan, M.D. there shall be no charge for obtaining information in digital format (i.e
PDF, JPEG, etc.). However, the following schedule of fees is imposed
Hon. Benjamin N. Maggay for printing, photocopying, and certification services rendered by a
government office, pursuant to Section 5A.01 (c) and (d) of Provincial
Hon. Virginia Cordero-Pe Benito Ordinance No. 037-18, Series of 2018, otherwise known as the “THE
REVISED REVENUE CODE OF THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS
SUR 2018.”
Hon. Francisco Arturo O. Ranches III c. Photocopies, Certified Photocopies of Documents
Hon. Mildred M. Elaydo 1. Any paper, records, decrees, judgment or entry of

which any person is entitled to demand and
Ex Officio Members:
receive a copy for each page. -P50.00
(On Official Business) 2. Additional Copy of the Appointment. -P50.00
Hon. Jaime “Jimboy” M. Singson, MDE 3. Resolutions, Ordinances, Codes. -P100.00 plus
P5.00
Hon. Constante V. Benzon per page in excess of 3 pages
4. Any other document. -P50.00
d. Certification of Official Records
Hon. Elpidio A. Quines, Sr. 1. Approved Resolution, Ordinances, Code. -P50.00

2. Certificate of correctness. -P50.00
Attested:
(b) The fee shall be paid to the Provincial Treasurer’s Office at

Provincial Secretary the time of the request, whether written or verbal. The Official
Approved:
Receipt number, the amount of the total fees and the date of payment
shall be indicated at the bottom of the certificate.
Governor SECTION 11. Notice of Denial. If the PPIO or concerned
Date signed:
Office decide to deny the request, in whole or in part, it shall as soon
as practicable, in any case within fifteen (15) working days from the
Page 6 of 8
Vigan City
Vice Governor:
receipt of the request, or within twenty (20) working days in case of
extension, whichever is applicable, notify the requesting party the
Presiding Officer denial in writing. The notice shall clearly set forth the ground or
grounds for denial and the circumstances on which the denial is based.
Failure
to notify the requesting party of the action taken on the request within
Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr. the period herein stipulated shall be deemed a denial of the request for
access to information.
SECTION 12. Remedies in Cases of Denial of Request for
Hon. Christopher Abraham R. Baterina Access to Information.
Hon. Art Constantine U. Oandasan, M.D. (a) Denial of any request for access to information may be
appealed to the Provincial Governor or the Provincial Vice
Hon. Benjamin N. Maggay Governor; Provided, that the written appeal must be filed by the
same person making the request within fifteen (15) calendar days
from the notice of denial or from the lapse of the relevant period
to respond to the request.
(b) The appeal shall be decided by the Provincial

Governor or the Provincial Vice Governor within thirty (3)
working days from the filling of said written appeal. Failure of
the person of office next higher in the authority to decide within
Ex Officio Members:
the afore-stated period shall be deemed a denial of the appeal.
(On Leave)
(c) Upon exhaustion of administrative appeal remedies,
the requesting party may file the appropriate case in the proper
courts in accordance with the Rules of Court.
SECTION 13. Keeping of Records. Subject to existing laws,
Hon. Elpidio A. Quines, Sr. rules and regulations, government offices shall create and/or maintain
accurate and reasonably complete records of important information in
Attested:
appropriate formats, and implement a records management system that
facilitates easy identification, retrieval and communication of
Provincial Secretary information to the public.
Approved:
SECTION 14. Penalties. Failure of any government officer to
comply with the provisions of this Ordinance shall be a ground for the
Governor following penalties:
Date signed:
1st Offense - Reprimand

Page 7 of 8
Vigan City
Vice Governor:
2nd Offense - Suspension of one (1) to thirty (30)
days; and
Presiding Officer 3rd Offense - Dismissal from the service.

SECTION 15. FOI Office. The Provincial Public Information Office
(PPIO) is designated to be the FOI Office tasked to oversee the
Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr. implementation of this ordinance. The PPIO is further directed to
formulate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which shall
Hon. Ronnie R. Rapanut include among others the following provisions:
Hon. Christopher Abraham R. Baterina (a) The name, location and contact information of FOI Receiving
Officers;
Hon. Art Constantine U. Oandasan, M.D. (b) The procedure for the filing and processing of the request;
(c) The standard forms for the submission of the request;
Hon. Benjamin N. Maggay (d) The process for the disposition of the requests;
(e) The procedure for the administrative appeal of any denial.
SECTION 16. Separability Clause. If any section or part of
Hon. Leopoldo G. Gironella, Jr. this Ordinance is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or
provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force or effect.
SECTION 17. Repealing Clause. All other ordinances,
Hon. Mildred M. Elaydo orders, issuances, rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with
Ex Officio Members: the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.
SECTION 18. Effectivity. This Ordinance shall take effect
fifteen (15) days after its publication in a local newspaper of general
circulation in the province and its posting in the entrance of the
Provincial Capitol, and in two (2) other conspicuous places in the
province.
APPROVED AND ENACTED UNANIMOUSLY, by all
Attested:
members present, this 22nd day of November 2022.

Approved:

Governor
Date signed:

Page 8 of 8
Vigan City
Vice Governor:

Presiding Officer

Presiding Officer
Ex Officio Members:

Attested:

Approved:

Governor

Page 9 of 8
Vigan City
Date signed:
Vice Governor:

Presiding Officer
Ex Officio Members:

Attested:

Approved:

Governor

Page 10 of 8
Vigan City
Date signed:

Page 11 of 8

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Republic of the Philippines

HERITAGE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR

11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr. PROVINCIAL ORDINANCE NO. 0141

Hon. Leopoldo G. Gironella, Jr.

WHEREAS, as a universal and fundamental human right

WHEREAS, Section 7, Article III of the 1987 Constitution of

Provincial Ordinance No. 0141, S2022

11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Hon. Ryan Luis V. Singson, MPA

Provincial Ordinance No. 0141, S2022

11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Hon. Ryan Luis V. Singson, MPA

SECTION 5. Exceptions. Access to information shall be

Hon. Janina Joyce P. Tabios

11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Hon. Ryan Luis V. Singson, MPA

11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Hon. Ryan Luis V. Singson, MPA

Hon. Ronnie R. Rapanut SECTION 9. Procedure. The following procedure shall

(c) The request shall be stamped by the PPIO or concerned

Provincial Ordinance No. 0141, S2022

11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members: working days unless exceptional circumstances warrant a

Hon. Francisco Arturo O. Ranches III c. Photocopies, Certified Photocopies of Documents

Hon. Mildred M. Elaydo 1. Any paper, records, decrees, judgment or entry of

Hon. Elpidio A. Quines, Sr. 1. Approved Resolution, Ordinances, Code. -P50.00

(b) The fee shall be paid to the Provincial Treasurer’s Office at

11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan

(b) The appeal shall be decided by the Provincial

1st Offense - Reprimand

Provincial Ordinance No. 0141, S2022

11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Hon. Ericson G. Singson, M.D.

Atty. Maria Ellen D. Cabatu, CPA, CESE

Hon. Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson

Provincial Ordinance No. 0141, S2022

11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Hon. Ryan Luis V. Singson, MPA

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members:

Hon. Ericson G. Singson, M.D.

Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr.

Hon. Ronnie R. Rapanut

Hon. Christopher Abraham R. Baterina

Hon. Art Constantine U. Oandasan, M.D.

Hon. Benjamin N. Maggay

Hon. Virginia Cordero-Pe Benito

Hon. Leopoldo G. Gironella, Jr.

Hon. Francisco Arturo O. Ranches III

Hon. Mildred M. Elaydo

(On Official Business)

Hon. Constante V. Benzon

Hon. Janina Joyce P. Tabios

Hon. Elpidio A. Quines, Sr.

Atty. Maria Ellen D. Cabatu, CPA, CESE

Hon. Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson

Provincial Ordinance No. 0141, S2022

11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan

Hon. Ryan Luis V. Singson, MPA

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members:

Hon. Ericson G. Singson, M.D.

Hon. Efren A. Rafanan, Sr.