THE DEPARTMENT of Education was recognized as one of the top performing agencies in frontline service through its electronic Freedom of Information Portal during the 2021 Order on Freedom of Information Awards.

The department was also one of the top requested agencies last year.

Beverly G. Berame, the DEpEd’s  FOI Receiving Officer and head of the Public Assistance Action Center, received the FOI Capacity-Building Queen Award.

Secretary Leonor Briones said that the department ensured that the free exchange of information is unhindered in line with the  Freedom of Information law.

“This initiative further the policies and programs of DepEd as our stakeholders proactively help us with interpret data and information,” she added.

The award is granted to government agencies and organizations who made extraordinary and significant contributions to the advancement and development of the Freedom of Information Act program, as well as those that received 1,000 or more requests with at least 90 percent concluded transactions.

In 2021, the agency issued DepEd Order No. 19, s. 2021 or the Revised Department of Education People’s Freedom of Information Manual and Implementing Details, designed to establish standard procedures and provide guidelines to the central, regional, school division offices, and schools in attending to and fulfilling the requests for information of any Filipino citizen.