Department of the Interior and Local Government(DILG)

Hi! I would like to request for any document regarding the Safe Philippines Project that the DILG is willing to make public. Any document at all would be greatly appreciated seeing as the last three FOI requests in relation to the said project were denied for various reasons.

Thank you very much!

February 03, 2020

Dear Julia Ornedo,

I refer to  your request under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch, for Documents on the Safe Philippines Project

Unfortunately, it is taking longer than expected to deal with your request because we are still waiting for the reply of the Emergency 911 Commission for any information they may disclose/provide us.

I apologize for this delay but have applied for an extension so we could work further on your request. We hope to be able to send you a response soon.


Thank you.

Respectfully,

Lourdes Lladones
FOI Officer

March 2, 2020

Dear Julia Ornedo,

Greetings!

Thank you for your request   under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.

Your request

You asked for Documents on the Safe Philippines Project

Response to your request

We have coordinated with the Emergency 911 National Office, which handles the SAFE Philippines Project, regarding your query. They emphasized that they themselves cannot release information regarding the project outside an official statement/release publicized by the Department. Until such time that the Department publicize a briefer (or any publication) regarding the project, we are constrained from releasing any information.

Also, since the Project delves in the National Security aspect as well as International Relations to China, the office concerned is careful not to jeopardize its implementation. 

We truly apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. As much as we want to inform the public of the Department's undertakings, there is just too much risk involved regarding this matter.

Thank you for your understanding...

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to Hon. Eduardo M. Año, Secretary, DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, Quezon Ave., Quezon City. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011).

Thank you.

Respectfully,
Richard Bayron Hermosa
FOI Officer