A Call for a Genuine Freedom of Information Policy

Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

President 

Republic of the Philippines 

Raphael P.M. Lotilla

Secretary

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Dear Mr. President and Sec. Lotilla:

We, the undersigned environmental advocates, respectfully urge you to immediately amend the DENR Freedom of Information Manual and adopt a genuine freedom of information policy that affirms every Filipino’s constitutional right to access information, especially on environmental matters.

Aligned with the State’s commitment to transparency, the public’s right to information is vital to a functioning democracy. It empowers citizens to hold the government accountable and engage meaningfully in decision-making—especially on environmentally critical projects with lasting effects on vulnerable ecosystems and communities.

Regrettably, the current DENR FOI Manual runs counter to the State’s policy of full disclosure, imposing unreasonable barriers to accessing crucial information—particularly the data in the course of applying for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), and other reports, including environmental impact statements (EIS), feasibility studies, technical reports, and other documents submitted for mining applications, among others.

Our organizations and partner communities across the country—including indigenous peoples of Sultan Kudarat, farmers and irrigators of South Cotabato, mining-affected communities in Masbate and Antique, and citizens of our last ecological frontier in Palawan—have repeatedly been denied access to important environmental information such as environmental impact statements. This lack of transparency impairs our ability to make evidence-based decisions and monitor projects that may endanger our ecosystems, ultimately weakening accountability and excluding affected communities from meaningful participation.

Clearly, this current DENR FOI Manual constitutes a grave abuse of discretion contradicting the State’s commitment to transparency. The restrictive FOI Manual has become the primary obstacle to the meaningful exercise of the constitutional right to information on matters of public environmental concern. The policy undermines the principles of public participation and regular consultation enshrined in the Constitution, the Philippine Environment Code, the Local Government Code, the Executive Order No. 79, s. 2012, and other relevant statutes.

We respectfully call on your office to direct the DENR to remove the unjust restrictions and urgently revise its FOI Manual to ensure full public access to vital environmental information. Data, decisions, and actions with potential environmental impact must be governed by transparency and inclusive public engagement—not concealed by restrictive policies.

As our environment is our common home, we bear a collective duty to protect it for our children and generations yet to come. With your promise of good governance, we trust that your office will take immediate steps to uphold the people’s fundamental right to know and the right to a balanced and healthful ecology.

For the People and the Environment, 

Signatories: 

Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center

Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc.

Environmental Legal Assistance Center 

Ateneo Human Rights Center 

Ang Aroroy Ay Alagaan, Inc. 

Diocese of Marbel 

Alternative Law Groups 

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)

Art Relief Mobile Kitchen

BALAOD Mindanaw Inc.

Bayay Sibuyanon Inc.

Cordillera Human Rights Alliance 

ECIP National Secretariat

Environmental Legal Assistance Center Inc.

ERDA Foundation, Inc.

GAIA Asia Pacific

Kanlungan Centre Foundation Inc. 

Kaisahan tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Kanayunan at Repormang Pansakahan 

KALASAG

Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc

Sibuyanon Against Mining

San Juan Resort Restaurant Hotel Association

Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panlegal (SALIGAN)

Task Force Bantay Kalikasan 

ZAMBANORPA 

Ruben Guieb 

Medinel Alvarez 

Lorraine Lapus 

Joaquin Alano 

Katherine P. Sanchez-Escalona