Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

PHilMech strengthens transparency efforts through FOI orientation seminar for staff
by Joanna Aquin R. Hofileña (May 6, 2026)
To further strengthen its commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, PHilMech, in collaboration with the Freedom of Information-Program Management Office (FOI-PMO) of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), conducted an FOI orientation seminar for PHilMech staff at the PHilMech Training Hall on May 5, 2026.

Dr. Nelson C. Santiago, PHilMech R&D Director, emphasized the importance of the activity in ensuring that PHilMech personnel possess the necessary competencies to respond to public information requests on postharvest and mechanization.

Compliance officers from the FOI-PMO served as resource persons for the seminar and equipped PHilMech personnel with the knowledge and skills to implement and comply with the FOI program.

Compliance Officer Jozelle Jhea P. Dela Cruz provided an introduction to the FOI program and its implementation, including its fundamentals and legal basis.

Senior Compliance Officer Dianne M. Gammad, MPA discussed FOI requirements, procedures, and compliance standards necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of the program.

The final part of the orientation was an eFOI portal walkthrough conducted by Compliance Officer Frances Paula P. Libo-on, RL, who demonstrated the portal’s use and navigation. Queries from participants were addressed during the open forum segment of the activity.

Mr. Elijah Z. Davalos, PHilMech ESETS Director, applauded the initiative and enjoined the FOI-PMO team to continue its collaboration with the PHilMech FOI team, led by FOI Receiving Officer Jett Molech G. Subaba, in conducting future activities to further strengthen the agency’s competencies and capabilities in implementing the FOI program.

Freedom of Information is mandated under Executive Order No. 2, Series of 2016, which allows Filipino citizens to request information on government transactions and operations to promote transparency and full public disclosure of information.

PHilMech garnered an outstanding achievement for the first quarter of 2026 for its compliance with and assistance in FOI requests, based on feedback from requesting parties.