BAGUIO CITY – The City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) passed a resolution authorizing the establishment of the social media accounts of the body that will be jointly administered by responsible members.
Under CPOC Resolution No. 17, series of 2025, the CPOC stated that the people of Baguio must be regularly informed about prevailing peace and order issues as well as the capacity development initiatives of the council.
The council pointed out that the right to information on matters of public concern is a fundamental right of every Filipino guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution.
Further, it added that Section 28 of Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution provided that subject to reasonable foundations prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.
Section 7 of Article 3 of the 1987 Constitution also stated that the right of the people to information of matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.
Moreover, Section 2 of CPOC Resolution No. 13, series of 2025 outlined the functions of the Special Action Committee on Capacity Development, which among others includes, the development of information and education campaign materials and knowledge products in promoting peace, order and public safety, in collaboration with the City Mayor’s Office – Public Information Office and the Management Information Technology Division.
During the first meeting of the Special Action Committee on Capacity Development held last April 29, 2025, Rowena C. Orajay, Co-Chairperson of the said committee, proposed the creation of official social media accounts for the council as an avenue for enhancing transparency and public awareness.
The proposal was positively received and agreed upon by the committee members and that the aforesaid committee shall oversee the overall administration of the said social media accounts and ensure that all information, photos, videos and documents to be posted are strictly limited to records of official actions and activities intended to be known to the public which do not compromise national security, defense or foreign relations.
The CPOC claimed that all information to be posted or published shall be subject to the review and approval of the Chairperson and the head Secretariat and that the implementation and technical support for the set up and maintenance of the official social media accounts shall be coordinated with the assistance of the management Information and Technology Division. By Dexter A. See
