Monday, 16 May 2011 10:15
Rep. Diosdado M. Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur), author of House Bill 3603, said the Filipino people have the right to information on all matters of public concern.
"Access to food is a fundamental human right and it is the government's responsibility to ensure an adequate food supply for the people at affordable costs," Arroyo said.
Arroyo said in order to reinforce and guarantee the right of the people to affordable and adequate food supply, the government must be transparent in all its transactions involving food and basic commodities.
"Government transparency in food information is a step towards reinforcing the right of the people to affordable food and food security. The people have the right to know the factors that influence food supply and prices," Arroyo said.
Arroyo said access to official information, records, documents and papers pertaining to official acts, processes, transactions and decisions by the government as well as government research and data relative to food and food security would help ensure transparency and accountability.
"Transparency in all information on food and food security would help prevent collusion and cartel, serve as a check against over-importation of basic commodities such as rice and corn, and aid in collection of tariffs per metric ton," Arroyo said.
Under the measure co-authored by Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), all government bodies specifically the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are required to grant written requests for information on food and food supply.
The bill also requires the DA to publish all relevant information on the importation of basic food commodities, such as rice and corn, as well as maintain records and a database containing the said information.
Any official or employee who denies anybody access to information and releases false and/or misleading information shall be fined P40,000 and a three year jail term.
Moreover, any official or employee who fails to respond to a request due to negligence shall be fined with not more than P20,000 and shall be imprisoned for one year, and for those who deliberately or knowingly refuse to update any information his or her office is required to disclose shall be suspended from the service for one year.
source: http://www.congress.gov.ph
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