2 June 2014

Social Action DirectorArch/Diocesan Social Action Center

Dear Social Action Director,

Greetings from CBCP-NASSA!

"…my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge." - Hosea 4:6

We would like to invite you and your Diocese/ communities and colleagues to join us and the Right2 Know. Right Now! (R2KRN) Coalition’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Campaign.

The lack of access to information has long been perpetuating failure of access of the poor sectorsand communities to the government services meant for them and hindering their development, aswell as provide the tendency for corruption as there is no legal obligation to reveal processes ordata. The long struggle to call for a law that guarantees right to information has reached the peak ofbeing declared a priority, but still failed to move on in the last 15th Congress. Still the R2KRNcontinues to be hopeful that it can be passed in the current 16th Congress.

In the past 4 years during President Aquino’s administration, the discussion and debate on theprovisions of FOI and other national protection issues have already been resolved, and there isalready a consensus about the importance of FOI as reflected in the Open Data/ Open Governmentprogram being proposed. Yet, there is still a need for a formal legislation to guarantee the rights ofordinary people needing information relevant to their right to development and basic needs. ThePresident has already recognized the importance and need for FOI Bill, and for institutionalization ofprograms through FOI Bill. We would like to show support for this to push for the passing of the Bill.

To ramp-up the FOI Campaign, we hope for your concrete support and action as follows:

1) Sign, and reach out to your family/ friends/ colleagues/ network/ communities to also sign andalso reach out to their circles, the online signature campaign at:

<https://www.change.org/ph/mga-petisyon/pres-benigno-s-aquino-iii-speaker-feliciano-belmonte-jr-isabatas-na-ang-people-s-foi-peoplesfoinow>

or

<https://www.change.org/TayoNaParaSaFOI>

The online petition runs until mid-July 2014.

2) Join and promote the coordinated/ simultaneous sign-on activity or “Launching” onTuesday, 10 June 2014, to generate a sizeable turn-out public awareness of the campaign.Media coverage, making it high profile, multi-sectoral, broad and nationwide will be muchappreciated.

It can be simultaneous online signing on that day, or through the standard form attached(10 sheets per set) for those with no internet access or email address, and/ or organize sign-uptables/ booth for collection of signatures. Only signatures from these forms will be included.Please return as stated in the forms.

The Coalition is willing to send volunteers to coordinate and assist your booth set up and othermatters. Volunteers from your network for other booths are also welcome. You are alsoencouraged to identify/ offer sign-on sites (multi-sectoral and geographic) and coordinate withthe Coalition.

3) Mobilize your media network (Television, radio, print and online media) to coordinate with theR2KRN Coalition’s media groups.

4) There will also be a meeting with Secretary Lacierda on integrating Open Data principles in FOIwith schedule to be advised. The Coalition supports this and will monitor how they propose todo it. Interested parties from R2KRN member organizations and signature campaign partnerscan submit names at soonest possible.

NASSA identified Parishes/ Dioceses (through DSACs), religious (through AMRSP) and Catholicschools (through CEAP and MAPSA) as main/ strategic partners. We therefore approach you toinvite you to sign the online campaign (<https://www.change.org/ph/mga-petisyon/pres-benigno-s-aquino-iii-speaker-feliciano-belmonte-jr-isabatas-na-ang-people-s-foi-peoplesfoinow>) and toencourage your network and friends to do the same, up to mid-July.

As an influential institution with wide constituencies and network, we hope that you can alsoorganize a campaign among your offices, network and schools to raise awareness on the campaignand take concrete action. The attached form is also for those with no internet access or no emailaddress.

There will be a formal launching of the campaign on Tuesday, 10 June 2014, simultaneously atdifferent spots and you can be part of it. Volunteers from the R2KRN Coalition are willing to assistand help your signature tables. Please let us know (nassa.communication@gmail.com andedcalguyano@yahoo.com). Online signature is on-going, but we hope to have a bigger swell ofsignatures on June 10, and collect all signatures by middle of July.

The signatures to be gathered from the online petition and sign-on petitions will be presented toPresident Aquino and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. one week before the State of theNation Address (SONA) in July.

Looking forward to your support at personal, family/ friends, institutional and community levels!

“We should not overlook the fact that those who for whatever reason lack access to social mediarun the risk of being left behind.” – Pope Francis, 48th World Communications Day.

Sincerely in Christ,

FR. EDWIN A. GARIGUEZExecutive Secretary

+ ROLANDO J. TRIA TIRONA, OCD, DDChair, Episcopal Commission for Social Action – Justice and Peace