ACCESS TO INFORMATION – Strengthening Access to Government Information (PHSC0004)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Action plan – South Cotabato, Philippines, 2026 – 2028
Inception Report: Not available
Commitment Start: Jun 2026
Commitment End: Apr 2028
Institutions involved:
- Office of the Provincial Information Officer
Primary Policy Area:
Primary Sector:
OGP Value:
- Access to information
- Civic Participation
- Public Accountability
Description
Commitment ID
PHSC0004
Commitment Title
ACCESS TO INFORMATION - Strengthening Access to Government Information and Services by Utilizing Multiple Communication Channels
Problem
Problem: Ineffective and uneven access to government information, coupled with inconsistent public trust across communication channels in South Cotabato. Thematic Problem: Mismatch between usage and trust of communication channels. Evidence: High usage vs. lower trust in social media (A communication research conducted by the Office of the Provincial Information Officer entitled: Understanding Information Access and Trust: A Study of Communication Channel Preferences of Sectoral Communities in South Cotabato)
7% use social media regularly, and it is the top source of news (Rank 1)
But it ranks lower in trust (Rank 4) compared to government websites, TV, and radio
Trust is highest in official and traditional channels
Government websites (Rank 1), television (Rank 2), radio (Rank 3)
Sectoral differences in preferences
Government employees → prefer digital platforms
Community-based sectors/IPs → rely more on radio, TV, and barangay officials
Strong demand for accessible and credible communication
Top reasons for preference:
Easy to access
Clear information
Comes from officials
Communities emphasize trust and familiarity
160 respondents said: People trust known and familiar sources
Status quo
At the start of the action plan, government information in South Cotabato is widely disseminated but not consistently accessible and trusted across all sectoral communities. While social media ensures broad reach, trusted sources remain official platforms and traditional media, revealing a gap between access and credibility. Differences in channel preferences and existing gaps in media and information literacy further result in uneven access, vulnerability to misinformation, and limited public engagement.
Action
The Provincial Government of South Cotabato commits to strengthening open, inclusive, and trustworthy public communication by adopting a multi-channel information system that integrates digital platforms, traditional media, and community-based networks.
It will ensure that government information is accessible, accurate, timely, and delivered in clear and localized language through verified and trusted channels.
The commitment also includes enhancing media and information literacy among communities to empower citizens to access, evaluate, and engage with government information responsibly, thereby improving transparency, public trust, and citizen participation.
How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?
The commitment will address the public problem by bridging the gap between information access and trust through a coordinated, multi-channel communication system that combines social media, official platforms, traditional media, and community networks. By ensuring that information is clear, localized, timely, and delivered through verified and familiar sources, it increases both reach and credibility across diverse sectors. At the same time, strengthening media and information literacy will empower citizens to critically evaluate information, reducing vulnerability to misinformation and enabling more informed participation in government programs and decision-making.
What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?
This commitment contributes to the long-term goal of building a transparent, inclusive, and participatory governance system in South Cotabato, where all citizens have equitable access to accurate and timely government information.
It supports the vision of strengthened public trust and accountability, by ensuring that information is not only open but also credible and understandable across all sectors.
Ultimately, it advances the goal of empowered and informed citizen participation, enabling communities to actively engage in governance, decision-making, and development processes.
Primary Policy Area
Inclusion, Right to Information
Primary Sector
Public Services (general)
What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?
| Access to information | It promotes open and accessible government information by ensuring that accurate, timely, and verified information is delivered through multiple platforms, making government actions and programs more visible to the public. |
| Civic Participation | By improving access, clarity, and localization of information, the commitment enables citizens from all sectors to better understand issues and actively engage in governance, decision-making, and community development. |
| Public Accountability | Strengthening trusted and official communication channels, along with enhancing media and information literacy, empowers citizens to scrutinize information, verify sources, and hold government accountable for its actions and commitments. Overall, the commitment operationalizes OGP principles by making information not only open, but also inclusive, usable, and trustworthy for meaningful citizen engagement. |