Right to access information

this endeavor by supporting projects that explore and capture the essence of a country’s traditions, history, and folklore. By providing financial aid and resources to writers working on projects centered around national themes, provinces and LGUs can actively contribute to the preservation and promotion of their cultural heritage.

Such initiatives result in a body of literature that not only resonates with domestic audiences but also attracts international readers, further enhancing a nation’s global literary footprint.

Supporting writing residencies can also have a significant impact on a nation’s publishing industry.

As writers benefit from the focused writing time provided by residencies, they produce high-quality manuscripts that can contribute to the growth and diversification of the domestic publishing market.

By subsidizing residencies, LGUs can encourage the creation of compelling stories and foster a literary ecosystem that nurtures both emerging and established writers.

The resulting surge in original works helps stimulate readership and book sales, bolstering the publishing industry’s economic vitality while putting national literature on the global map.

LGUs can work together with writers’ group and communities, universities, NBDB and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and other organizations to set up their writing residency programs

What’s additionally important to note is that local publishing is entering a new renaissance.

There are more Philippine publishers than ever, and in fact foreign publishing houses are releasing more works by Philippine authors (thank you, Penguin Random House SEA, for one).

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) under its chairperson Dante ‘Klink’ Ang and its visionary executive director Charisse Aquino Tugade are also giving major support to Philippine letters with their local and international book fairs, grants for writers, and many other programs.

Their efforts have helped boost the local publishing industry to a great extent.

Writing residencies can also contribute to tourism and the local economy.

By creating programs that allow the public to engage with resident writers through readings, workshops, and other events, LGUs can capitalize on the cultural and economic potential of these programs.

Writing residencies can become valuable components of a broader cultural tourism strategy, attracting visitors interested in exploring the literary traditions and contemporary voices of a country.

This can lead to increased tourism revenue, job creation in the creative sector, and the conduct of literary festivals and events that further showcase the nation’s literary heritage.

I call upon the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Liga ng mga Barangay, and other related organizations to give stronger consideration and priority than they are giving now to developing the literary arts in their communities. LGUs can work together with writers’ group and communities, universities, NBDB and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and other organizations to set up their writing residency programs.

By recognizing the intrinsic value of literature and investing in the growth of national literature through writing residencies, LGUs can foster an environment where the written word thrives, cultural identities are celebrated, and the legacy of a nation’s literature grows and endures.

* * * FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com

WE SALUTE the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) which held its 14th international meeting in Metro Manila Monday where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the country’s commitment to champion the right to information.

The ICIC is a network of information commissioners and ombudsmen from round the world who have been meeting regularly since 2003 to discuss topical issues related to the protection and promotion of the right to public information. The President was clear and precise when he congratulated the ICIC “for all its efforts in advancing the people’s right to access information, and in fostering a conducive and inclusive atmosphere for the healthy exercise of this universal human right.”

The Philippines’ Freedom of Information – Program Management Office, an agency under the Presidential Communications Office, hosted the event attended by ICIC member countries. The President was definitive when he said “The Philippines stands in solidarity with the ICIC and the entire international community in this advocacy.”

The President said the Philippines is “very honored” not only to have been selected as the host for this year’s event, but have a “great distinction to be the first Southeast Asian nation to become part of the ICIC, and a founding member of Asia’s network of fora, to improve people’s access to public information and their ability to hold public bodies accountable. guarantees

The goals of the ICIC include the protection and promotion of access to public information; promotion of dialogue and mutual cooperation; and support the development and sharing of information and best practices, including peer learning among member states.

The right to access information guarantees everyone the right of access to all information and documents related to the management of public affairs

Access to Information Bodies.”

While the Philippines has not passed a Freedom of Information law, it is the only Southeast Asian country-member accredited by the ICIC in 2020, recognizing then President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 2 series of 2016 as a national policy on access to information.

The ICIC’s mission is to share knowledge and best practices, strengthen the capacity, and act as collective voice in international

A much-needed shot in the arm

WHAT can you buy with $4 billion or P224 billion?

More than enough, if you’re an individual with even an outrageously extravagant lifestyle.

But if you’re a middle-income country still trying to recover from more than three years of lockdowns and job losses from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a modest sum that nonetheless can help boost economic activity.

The $4 billion will come from the deep pockets of the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the form of a grant for the national government’s socio-economic agenda and infrastructure projects for this year alone.

This was a commitment made by ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during their recent meeting at the ADB headquarters.

The money will be spent, among others, for the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project, the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, and the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project. In fact, the ADB has increased its financing to the Philippines by fourfold reaching a total US $12.7 billion between 2018 and 2022.

Part of the grant will also go to helping address the country’s vulnerability to the adverse impacts of climate change due to its exposure to severe weather events

This, the ADB said, will “be a core priority of our assistance going forward.”

During the ADB’s annual meeting in September last year, the financial institution announced its US $14 billion assistance package from 2022 to 2025 to help developing member countries address food security issues.

The ADB was the Philippines’ top source of active Official Development Assistance (ODA) among 20 development partners in 2022, accounting for 34 percent (US$10.74 billion for 31 loans and 28 grants) of the US $31.95 billion of the total active ODA.

From 2010 to 2022, ADB’s annual loan financing for the Philippines averaged US $1.4 billion.

Three loans amounting to US $1.10 billion have been signed with ADB within the first nine months of the Marcos administration.

This goes to show that the ADB, a multilateral financing institution with headquarters in Manila, trusts the national government enough to keep funding for vital infrastructure and social development projects flowing at a constant rate.

ASEAN on Myanmar violence

We’re glad the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in their recent summit in Labuan, Indonesia, called for an end to hostilities in militaryruled Myanmar to allow inclusive dialogue and humanitarian assistance.

The ASEAN should not stop exerting diplomatic pressure on the Myanmar junta to return to civilian rule

Their communiqué read: “We are deeply concerned with ongoing violence in Myanmar and urge the immediate cessation of all forms of violence and the use of force to create a conducive environment for the safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogues.”

This is a case of better late than never.

Myanmar’s security situation has been deteriorating since its military seized power in a 2021 coup and embarked on a campaign to crush its opponents.

The ASEAN summit took place days after unidentified assailants shot at a convoy carrying ASEAN diplomats and aid workers delivering supplies in western Myanmar, putting into doubt the junta’s willingness to end the violence and ensure safe humanitarian access.

The regional bloc had urged the junta to implement a “five-point peace consensus” in late 2021 that includes ending all hostilities and engaging all stakeholders.

The right to access information guarantees everyone the right of access to all information and documents related to the management of public affairs regardless of the status of the concerned person and the purpose for obtaining the required information.

It is reassuring the Executive Branch recognizes the right of the people to information on matters of public concern, and adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest, subject to the procedures and limitations provided in Executive Order 2. We cannot over-emphasize the right of the people to information on matters of public concern is the right of every citizen to access official records, documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development. We add that giving the people that access contributes to the protection of human rights and social justice, fosters an informed citizenry, and facilitates effective citizen participation in processes of public planning and decision making.

It barred the generals from attending highlevel meetings until progress is made.

We commend Indonesia for taking a lead role in getting the Myanmar junta to implement the five-point plan.

As chair of ASEAN this year, Indonesia has also been quietly engaging Myanmar’s military, shadow government, and armed ethnic groups to kick-start peace talks. But no doubt, the ASEAN, which espouses a policy of non-intervention in members’ sovereign affairs, should really take a harder stance against Myanmar.

The military junta appears hell-bent on ignoring worldwide opinion and holding on to power for as long as they can.

It is true keeping Myanmar away from ASEAN meetings unless they shape up and take concrete steps to end military rule makes them exempt from accountability as a full-fledged member of the regional bloc.

The ASEAN should not stop exerting diplomatic pressure on the Myanmar junta to return to civilian rule and allow the duly elected National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi to take their rightful place in the country’s political system.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)