DILG reiterates call on full disclosure policy

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 26, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Department of Interior and Local Government Region 8 reiterated the call of Secretary Jesse Robredo for local government units to comply with the full disclosure policy of the DILG.

Full disclosure policy requires local government units to post their budgets and finances, and bids and public offerings in government websites, newspapers of general circulation, and in other conspicuous and appropriate places, Director Jose said.

Adherence to the policy is now compulsory, as provided by Section 90 of Republic Act 10147 or the General Appropriations Act of 2011.

Meanwhile, DILG 8 Information Officer Mr. Myles Colasito, during the meeting of government information officers of Eastern Visayas, informed that many of the local government websites in the Region that are not functional or not updated at all.

The most common reason for this is that the local government units trained job order employees as webmasters and the same are no longer connected with the local government units.

It would be recalled that there was a project jointly conducted by the National Computer Center, DOST and NEDA, that designed websites for all local government units.

In a directive to provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, presiding officers of local legislative councils and the ARMM regional governor, the DILG Secretary said that non-compliance with the full disclosure policy may subject concerned local officials to suspension or removal from office on the ground of gross negligence or dereliction of duty in accordance with Section 60 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Adherence with the full disclosure policy upholds transparency and accountability in government and in keeping with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s principles on good governance.  More importantly, through this reform, the government will be able to improve its services to the people, Secretary Robredo said.

A Commission on Audit memorandum also includes compliance with the full disclosure policy among the requirements in the auditing process.