Awareness and Perception to Freedom of Information Bill (Senate Bill 1733) in La Trinidad, Benguet

Abstract

The study aimed primarily to determine the level of awareness and perception to Freedom of Information Bill (Senate Bill 1733) in La Trinidad, Benguet. To determine this, a survey questionnaire was floated to the respondents. The researcher gathered the socio-demographic profile of the repondents, the respondents’ awareness regarding the freedom of information bill, the respondent’s perception regarding freedom of information bill, the sources of information of the respondents and the percieved benefits of the Freedom of Information Bill of the respondents when it is enacted as a law. The result shows that majority of the respondents are not aware of the definition and coverage of the Freedom of Information Bill. Moreover, the sources of the respondent’s information regarding the freedom of information bill includes interpersonal communication, broadcast media (radio and televesion), new media (social and online publishing) and print media. The respondent’s percieved freedom of information bill into four perspective: right of people; for transparency and accountability; to combat corruption; and as encouragement of public participation. Further, the results shows that the freedom of information includes three general points of benefits: readily available information to different media platforms; transparent and accountable government; and increase participation to political affairs. The study recommends that the government may strengthen barangay officials towards Freedom of Information through updating the community people on their activities, budgets, programs in their meetings, bulletin etc. Second, concerned agencies may develop and maximize the use of quad media (print, broadcast, and social) and interpersonal communication in raising the awareness, advocacy and promotion of Freedom of Information Bill. Third, the barangay may use the information material produced in other to put emphasis how FOI could help transparency and good governance to the people. However, it may be subjected for editing, finalization and approval. Last, for future researches, a study on evaluation on the poster produced could be done.