The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is expected to put in place tighter security protocol for the protection of the agency’s officials and employees.
The DENR, through a memorandum, reminded employees to strictly observe existing security protocol prohibiting the publication or giving out of mobile numbers, residence address and residence telephone number/s of DENR officials and personnel.
The new DENR chief, former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Roy A. Cimatu, reportedly wants to make sure that DENR officials and personnel will comply with the order.
The memorandum, dated May 15, 2017, signed by DENR Undersecretary for Administration, Finance and Management Demetrio L. Ignacio Jr. said several reports have been received regarding attempts, such as extortion from DENR officials, personnel and external clients, by criminal elements who appear to be taking advantage of the transition period in the agency.
A copy of the order was posted in the official web site of the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau read, “In the interest of the service, pending the issuance of a comprehensive security protocol, all DENR offices are hereby directed to strictly observe of the foregoing provisions on the data covered by the exceptions to the Rule on Transparency on Transactions and Access to Information and are hereby prohibited from publishing or giving out mobile cellular numbers, residence, telephone numbers and residence addresses of DENR officials and personnel.”
Republic Act No. 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees prescribes a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interests.
Mobile cellular, residence telephone numbers, and residence addresses that are of private nature and are covered by the prohibition of disclosure of information that are personal in nature.