The librarian of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Central Office attended the workshop program hosted by the Freedom of Information – Program Management Office (FOI-PMO) in its first face-to-face Workshop for Librarians on March 31, 2023, at the Philippine Information Agency Auditorium, Visayas Ave., Quezon City.

FOI is essential for librarians as it promotes access to information, transparency, compliance with the law, privacy and confidentiality, and ethical standards. This Freedom of Information workshop aims to raise Librarians' awareness of their role as ambassadors to their respective libraries and institutions for the right of individuals to access information held by public authorities. The FOI mechanism for the Executive Branch is enabled via Executive Order No. 2, series of 2016.

During the workshop, Mr. Martin Jann G. Ceneta, Information Technology of FOI Philippines, introduced the eFOI portal and led a walkthrough of the platform on which Librarians created an eFOI account. Requests made through the dashboard will be routed to the appropriate agency for processing and action. Other important topics were discussed in addition to the featured topics on the FOI program such as programs of National Book Development Board and promotion of DOST-Starbooks. Furthermore, Mr. Von E Abella, Records Management Analyst of National Archives of the Philippines, elaborated the Electronic Records Management Policy as all government agencies are required to establish their own Electronic Records Management System. Finally, Mr. Rene Manlangit, President of the Philippine Librarians Association Inc., provided an update on the organization's activities and upcoming events.

Librarians should be aware of the FOI program and ensure that their institutions are compliant while also promoting access to information and intellectual freedom.

By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division