NAMRIA has once again been honored as the Freedom of Information (FOI) Champion for 2023 in the Agencies/Bureaus/Commissions/Councils category at the 2023 FOI Awards. The awarding ceremony was held at Hilton Manila, Pasay City, and live streamed via the FOI Philippines Facebook page on 21 November 2023. Ms. Zenaida A. Leano, NAMRIA FOI Receiving Officer, and Mr. Breyndon O. Manigos, Alternate NAMRIA FOI Receiving Officer, graciously accepted the trophy on behalf of NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD.

 

 

The 2023 FOI Awards had the theme Transforming Transparency: Digitalizing Access to Information, Embracing Glocalization, and Sustaining a Culture of Openness. It served as a beacon of recognition, illuminating the outstanding efforts and initiatives of individuals and organizations committed to advancing transparency, accountability, and access to information throughout the nation. The Champion Award was conferred based on the outstanding implementation and performance of the recipient, who has brought honor and recognition to their respective offices through excellence and dedication in upholding the constitutional mandate of the FOI to the right to information.

 

NAMRIA was also acknowledged as one of the Top-Performing Agencies in the eFOI portal, specifically in the category of 250 to 499 requests, achieving at least a 90% closed transaction rate. Moreover, Ms. Leano was honored as the Best FOI Receiving Officer for the fifth consecutive year—a testament to her dedication and excellence in facilitating access to information.

 

In his acceptance message captured on record, Administrator Tiangco expressed his gratitude to the FOI Program Management Office of the Presidential Communications Office for the awards. He emphasized that these achievements would not have been possible without the tireless efforts and commitment of the frontline officers and technical staff, who consistently and promptly addressed the requests from a multitude of clients seeking various geospatial data. The public service that these individuals provide, Administrator Tiangco said, is grounded in the core values that NAMRIA upholds in fulfilling its mandate: professionalism, transparency, accountability, innovation, efficiency, and partnership.

 

 

These achievements collectively reinforce NAMRIA's pivotal role in transforming transparency, digitalizing access to information, embracing globalization, and sustaining a culture of openness. As NAMRIA continues to set the standard for FOI excellence, it remains at the forefront of promoting transparency and accountability in the service of the public.