Basilan Province Honored with Prestigious FOI Award
The Provincial Government of Basilan has achieved a significant milestone in its commitment to open governance by receiving the 2025 Freedom of Information (FOI) Award. This prestigious recognition was presented by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) during a formal ceremony held on Friday afternoon, November 28, at The Bellevue Manila in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Provincial Board Member Amin Hataman accepted the award on behalf of the province, which was honored in the category for New Local Government Units to Pass Guidelines on FOI. This award celebrates Basilan's swift and decisive action in embedding transparency into its administrative framework.
A Foundation Built on Transparency
The journey to this award began in June of this year, when Governor Mujiv Hataman assumed office. His very first executive order was dedicated to establishing a comprehensive Freedom of Information mechanism for the provincial government. This foundational move was designed to promote openness, ensure accountability, and build a culture of trust with the citizens of Basilan.
In a statement released on Saturday, November 29, Governor Hataman expressed his pride, stating, "This award is a testament that Basilan is serious about accountability and transparency." He elaborated on the core philosophy behind the initiative, explaining that public service must be rooted in trust, which is earned when the public has easy access to information about government operations and expenditure.
The Impact and Future of FOI in Basilan
The institutionalization of the FOI mechanism ensures that the provincial government will continue to strengthen transparent practices across all local processes. This alignment with national transparency standards was a key factor in the PCO's decision to honor Basilan. The FOI Awards, established in 2017, serve as an annual platform to acknowledge exceptional commitment to public access to information.
The selection of Basilan specifically recognized its efforts to:
- Institutionalize a functional FOI mechanism.
- Ensure public information services are accessible and responsive.
- Proactively disclose government data to its constituents.
Looking ahead, Governor Hataman affirmed that this is only the beginning. "We will continue to work to make Basilan a model for good, transparent, and participatory governance in the Bangsamoro region," he added, signaling a sustained commitment to elevating governance standards.
