.I am Ma. Cristina Revilla, a senior student from the College of Development Communication.

I am currently working on my undergraduate thesis entitled Perception on Freedom of Information Act Among Batch 2012 BSDC Graduates and Selected Stakeholders. In line with this, I would like to seek for your help by being a respondent in my study. Please answer the questions as honest as you can. Please be assured that the data that will be gathered will remain confidential and will be solely used for the purpose of my undergraduate research. I am looking forward to your immediate response. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

DevCom Major : DEVELOPMENT JOURNALISM Current Occupation : HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER Please check the item that corresponds to your answer PART I. AWARENESS AND PRACTICES ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

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While still a devcom student, did you access these kinds of information? (Check all that applies) ____ national government transactions ____ local government transactions __/__ national government data __/__ local government data ____ SALNs of national government officials ____ SALNs of local government officials ____ Supreme Court decisions ____ Local Court Case decisions ____ Others pls. specify __________ How did you access information? ____ written ____ verbal __/__ others pls. specify ____e-copy______ Which of the following topics did you request information on? (Check all that applies) __/__ agriculture ____ education ____ employment ____ trade and industry __/__ environment ____ health ____ science and technology __/__ law / policy ____ politics ____ crime / policy matters ____ others pls. specify __________ What forms of information did you request? (Check all that applies) __/__ statistics / data ____ news articles ____ speeches __/__ legal documents ____ documentary / film ____ posters ____ others pls. specify How frequent did you access the information above? ____ always (every month) __/__ sometimes (every quarter) ____ rarely (one time only) For how long? ____ a few days ____ a few weeks ____ a few months ____ one year ____ 2 years ____ 3 years ____ longer How would you rate the easiness of accessing information about and from the government? ____ very easy

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__/__ easy ____ not sure ____ difficult ____ very difficult How can you describe your experience in requesting information? __/__ positive ____ negative ____ not sure What is your success rate in requesting information? __/__ always successful ____ sometimes successful ____ never successful How long did it take to get the information you requested? __/__ within the day ____ less than a week ____ 1 week ____ more than a week ____ 1 month ____ longer than 1 month ____ others pls. specify Had you experienced delays in requesting information? ____ No __/__ Yes. What caused the delay?__/__ indifferent government personnel ____ bureaucratic procedures ____ request lodged with incorrect department ____ absence of grease money ____ others pls. specify __________ Had you experienced being denied of information? __/__ very often ____ often ____ sometimes ____ never ____ not sure

13. What were the most common explanations given when your request to information was

denied? Confidential/not for public access

14. Given that your request was denied, what did you do next?

____ pursue / appeal request __/__ find other sources of information ____ find similar information ____ gave up ____ gave gift ____ others pls. specify 15. What hindered you in one time or another from requesting information?

__/__ time involved ____ cost ____ understanding of the process ____ possibility of refusal ____ negative behavior of government employee ____ others pls. specify
16. Do you know of any existing law that protects the right to information?

____ Yes. Pls. specify __________ ____ No __/__ Not sure 17. Are you aware of the Freedom of Information legislation being drafted by Malacanang? ____ Yes. How did you know about it? __________ __/__ No 18. Do you think a Freedom of Information legislation is necessary? __/__ Yes ____ No ____ Not sure 19. In what ways? (Check all that applies) __/__ promoting transparent, accountable and effective government ____ controlling corruption ____ fostering public participation __/__ enhancing the ability of the public to scrutinize the exercise of public power ____ promoting a democratic and human rights culture and the rule of law ____ improving public record management __/__ building public understanding and an informed citizenry
20. Is the right to information already protected under existing laws?

__/__ Yes ____ No ____ Not sure 21. Do you feel you have been adequately informed of this right? ____ Yes ____ No __/__ Not sure

22. What/Who should the Freedom of Information Act cover?

____ branches of the government ____ executive ____ legislative ____ judiciary __/__ all public bodies ____ security forces (i.e. police and military) ____ public bodies (commercial entities that transact with the government or those who receive public funding) ____ citizens or natural persons ____ others pls. specify 23. Which request mechanism do you prefer? (Check all that applies) ___/_ writing (including electronic means) ____ orally (phone calls or verbal agreements)

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24. Do you think fees may be charged in requesting information?

____ based on occupation ____ based on the type or form of information ____ based on actual costs (of searching, preparing, reviewing, reproducing or sending of information) ____ subsidized by the government 25. How soon would you like for information to be available upon request, upon the Freedom of Information Acts enactment? ____ within the day ____ less than a week __/__ depends

___/_ No ____ Yes. It should be

PART II.
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How important is Freedom of Information for you as an individual? For Filipinos in general?

Strongl y Agree
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Neut ral

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Strongly Disagree

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Accessing information will take much longer if the Act is enacted. Even if the Freedom of Information Act is enacted, not much will change in accessing information, especially on something negative about the government. A separate legislation is needed to protect more the right to information especially of journalists. Public servants are already helpful in assisting with requests to information so a legislation on this is no longer necessary. The right to information is a right for any person regardless of his or her field, education, age or gender. There is no need for a Freedom of

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Information Act; we only need to strengthen the implementation of existing laws related to it. It would be easier to access information if there is Freedom of Information Act. Being a journalist would still be a dangerous job even if the Act is enacted. The Act is a victory for freedom-loving Filipinos. The Act will unleash the power of information for the benefit of the people.

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