Department of Transportation(DOTr)

Hi, I am Anne Lurryn Perez, 5th year Architecture Student from Technological Institute of the Philippines Manila. I would like to request access to any documents related to the MAPALLA Ferry System as a source of data for my capstone project. 

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon!

November 7, 2022

Dear Anne Lurryn Perez,

I refer to my letter of Oct 20, 2022 07:58:09 AM about your request under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch, for MAPALLA Ferry System Feasibility Study.

In order for us to work further on your request, we need more information from you. Please state the purpose of your request and to what extent the data you requested will be used. Additionally, if the data you requested will be used for an undergraduate thesis, kindly provide us a copy of your Student ID and an endorsement letter from your Dean, Professor, or Adviser. 

You may use the reply function on the eFOI portal at https://pcoomaster10032017130000-dot-efoi-ph.appspot.com/requests/aglzfmVmb2ktcGhyHgsSB0NvbnRlbnQiEURPVHItMTE1MjA0Njg4NDA1DA, for request with ticket number #DOTr-115204688405, to respond.

During the period of us awaiting your reply, your request will be put on hold. If we do not receive a reply on or before Jan 30, 2023 03:09:30 AM, your request will be closed.

We hope to hear from you at the soonest possible time.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

DOTR-DM DOTR
FOI Officer

11 November 2022

Good day!

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.

Thank you.


Respectfully,

DOTr-DM
FOI Officer