SEC recognized as FOI champion

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday said it remained among the top performing agencies in the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) program of the Executive branch.

The SEC said it was given the recognition for its promotion and implementation of projects that forwarded open access to information.

The agency was again recognized by the Presidential Communications Operations Office, led by its Freedom of Information-Project Management Office, during the FOI Awards, which seeks to recognize outstanding work from national government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, as well as nongovernment organizations in promoting the public’s right to know.

The SEC was first recognized by the body last year.

“As the overseer of the corporate sector and capital market, and champion of investor protection, the Commission has advocated for transparency and accountability within and beyond its offices,” SEC Chairman Emilio B. Aquino said.

“Going forward, the commission will continue ensuring the effective exercise of the people’s right to information by promptly and diligently responding to requests under the FOI Program.”

Since the launch of the FOI Program in the third quarter of 2017, the SEC has processed a total of 8,726 requests from the public, including 3,080 from January to October alone. This comes amid the pandemic, which has prompted the agency to adopt a work-from-home arrangement for most of its employees during the community quarantine.

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