DepEd Memorandum 095, s. 2025 - Addendum to DepEd Memorandum No. 006, s. 2024 (Reiteration of the Freedom of Information Memorandum Circular No. 21-05 Otherwise Known as the No Wrong Door Policy for FOI)

DepEd Memorandum 095, s. 2025

Addendum to DepEd Memorandum No. 006, s. 2024

(Reiteration of the Freedom of Information Memorandum Circular No. 21-05, Otherwise Known as the No Wrong Door Policy for FOI)

 

OCT 10 2025

 

DepEd MEMORANDUM

No. 095, s. 2025

 

ADDENDUM TO DEPED MEMORANDUM NO. 006, s. 2024

(Reiteration of the Freedom of Information Memorandum Circular No. 21-05 Otherwise Known as the No Wrong Door Policy for FOI)

 

To:      Undersecretaries

Assistant Secretaries

Minister, Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, BARMM

Bureau and Service Directors

Regional Directors

Schools Division Superintendents

Public Elementary and Secondary School Heads

All Others Concerned

 

1. Pursuant to the Freedom Information-Memorandum Circular (FOI-MC) No. 21-05 dated August 27, 2021, titled Guidelines on the Referral of Requested Information, Official Record/s and Public Record/s to the Appropriate Government Agency Otherwise Known as the "No Wrong Door Policy for FOI," the Department of Education (DepEd) issued DepEd Memorandum (DM) No. 006, s. 2024 titled Reiteration of the Freedom of Information Memorandum Circular No. 21-05 Otherwise Known as the No Wrong Door Policy for FOI.

 

2. The FOI-MC No. 21-05 aims to break the prevailing silo system and lack of interconnection among government agencies and details a clear referral process, directing requests to the appropriate government agency for proper handling. The Department reiterates the provisions of FOI-MC No. 21-05 pending the updating provisions of DepEd Order No. 019, s. 2021 titled Revised Department of Education People's Freedom of Information Manual and Implementing Details.

 

3. This addendum to DM No. 006, s. 2024 provides the enclosed No Wrong Door Policy Flowchart on the referral process of any requested information not within the possession of the Department to the appropriate agency, to wit:

 

    Section 4. Acceptance of request. - As a general rule, all fully compliant requests for information shall be accepted by the FOI Receiving Officer (FRO) and FOi Decision Maker (FDM). No request for information shall be denied or refused acceptance by a government office unless the reason for the request is contrary to the Constitution, pertinent laws, existing rules and regulations, or it is one of the exceptions provided under the Inventory of Exceptions.

 

    Section 5. Process of Referral. - When the requested information is not in the possession of a government agency (government agency no. 1 or GA1), but is available in another government agency (government agency no. 2 or GA2) under the Executive Branch, the request shall be immediately referred by GA1 to GA2 through the most expeditious manner but not exceeding three (3) working days from the receipt of the request. This shall be considered as the "First Referral" and a fresh period will apply.

 

Section 4. Acceptance of request. - As a general rule, all fully compliant requests for information shall be accepted by the FOI Receiving Officer (FRO) and FOi Decision Maker (FDM). No request for information shall be denied or refused acceptance by a government office unless the reason for the request is contrary to the Constitution, pertinent laws, existing rules and regulations, or it is one of the exceptions provided under the Inventory of Exceptions.

 

Section 5. Process of Referral. - When the requested information is not in the possession of a government agency (government agency no. 1 or GA1), but is available in another government agency (government agency no. 2 or GA2) under the Executive Branch, the request shall be immediately referred by GA1 to GA2 through the most expeditious manner but not exceeding three (3) working days from the receipt of the request. This shall be considered as the "First Referral" and a fresh period will apply.

 

Referral to the appropriate government agency shall mean that another government office is the proper repository or custodian of the requested information or records, or has control over the said information or records.

 

If GA1 fails to refer the request within three (3) working days upon its receipt, the FRO shall act on it within the remaining period to respond pursuant to EO No. 02, s. 2016. No fresh period shall apply.

 

If GA1, in good faith, erroneously referred the request to GA2, the latter shall immediately notify the former as well as the requesting party, that the information requested is not available in their agency. GA2, to whom the request was referred under the First Referral may subsequently refer the request to another government agency (government agency no. 3 or GA3) under the procedure set forth in the first paragraph of this Section. This shall be considered as the "Second Referral" and another fresh period shall apply.

 

Referrals under this Order shall only be limited to two (2) subsequent transfers of request. A written or email acknowledgment of the referral shall be made by the FRO of the government agency where it was referred. The requesting party shall be notified of the referral and must be provided with the reason or rationale thereof, and contact details of the government office where the request was referred.

 

4. All provisions stated in OM 006, s. 2024 shall remain in effect. Additionally, other related issuances, rules, regulations, and provisions that are inconsistent with this Memorandum are modified, amended, or repealed accordingly.

 

5. For more information, please contact the Public Affairs Service-Public Assistance Action Center, Ground Floor, Mabini Building, Department of Education Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City through email at depedactioncenter@deped.gov.ph or telephone number (02) 8638-7530.

 

6. Immediate dissemination of this Memorandum is desired.

 

 

 

By Authority of the Secretary:

 

(SGD) ATTY. FATIMA LIPP D. PANONTONGAN

Undersecretary and Chief of Staff

 

 

Encl.:

            As stated

 

Reference:

DepEd Order (No. 019, s. 2021)

DepEd Memorandum (No. 006, s. 2024)

 

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index

under the following subjects:

 

BUREAUS AND OFFICES

INFORMATION

MANUALS

OFFICIALS

PROGRAMS

RECORDS

REPORTS

 

A full copy of DepEd Memorandum No. 095, s. 2025 below: