Department of Transportation(DOTr)

Good day!

I am Ayron Jon A. Viray, a 4th year college of Colegio de San Juan de Letran- Calamba, under the course of Architecture. I would like to have a copy of Feasibility Study for the Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake (MAPALLA) Ferry System for my thesis proposal as MAPALLA Ferry System is one of the key points of my study. 

Thank you very much have a good day.
Good day!

July 4, 2023

Dear Ayron Jon,

Greetings!

Thank you for your request dated Jun 08, 2023 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.

Your request

You asked for Feasibility Study for the Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake (MAPALLA) Ferry System.

Response to your request

While we laud your intention in the advancement of your education/research, unfortunately DOTr cannot release copies of your requested Feasibility Study. 

Please note that DOTr recognizes and highly advocates your right to free flow of information. Such right however is subject to certain exceptions which is vital to ensuring the integrity of transportation system development. 

The Feasibility Study you are requesting contains advisory opinions relevant to decision-making by an Executive Office, such as DOTr. Being matters covered by deliberative process privilege, DOTr cannot release the same to the public.

In the same light, Feasibility Studies also contain proprietary information which may be prejudicial to DOTr’s project stakeholders. Feasibility Studies contain information on new technology, concepts, technical designs, and business, commercial, and financial information which, being in the nature of trade or industrial secrets, exempts it from compulsory disclosure.

Further, Feasibility Studies cannot be freely distributed whether the same is written by consultants commissioned to conduct the study, or DOTr itself. Consultants hold copyright over these studies; thus, the study is not for DOTr to distribute. While DOTr-written studies are not covered by copyright, distribution is likewise restricted under relevant regulations.

We hope you find the above discussion satisfactory, and we wish you the best in your scholarly endeavors.

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 Secretary Jaime J. Bautista. 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,

Kriscia Mallari
FOI Officer