DENR Info Release and Disclosure Policy

All documents, records, communications, and related materials generated by DENR officers, employees, or commissioned non-government entities.
Data, information, or documents submitted by DENR clientele for Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) management and related activities.
Statements, opinions, and information provided by DENR officials and employees during interviews and press conferences.
Implementation subject to existing communication security government policies.

Documents are classified into five categories: Public Circulation (PC), Limited Circulation (LC), Restricted Documents (RD), Confidential Documents (CD), and Top Secret/Secret Documents (TS/S).
PC documents are generally accessible to the public without formal requests.
LC documents require a formal written request specifying purpose and possibly payment, approval by the relevant Director.
RD are for internal DENR use only; access requires formal request and certification on proper use, approval by Director.
CD are restricted to concerned DENR officials/personnel; client-submitted ENR data falls under this category; disclosure only with Secretary's discretion or court order.
TS/S documents impact national security; access only by Department Head and higher officials with Presidential clearance.
Originating offices are responsible for initial classification; reclassification by receiving offices is permitted.
Documents must be labeled with classification initials and updated if reclassified.

The Secretary is the authorized spokesperson on critical national/international issues unless otherwise designated.
Bureau/Office Directors and Regional Directors may speak on matters within their jurisdiction; Assistant Directors and Regional Technical Directors require prior authorization.
Statements affecting other sectors or the Department as a whole require prior clearance from senior officials.
On unresolved policy matters, only the Secretary or designated spokesperson should issue statements.
Statements adversely affecting other government branches or foreign countries must come from the Secretary or designated representative.
Statements on sensitive topics such as graft, corruption, personal matters, or agency image require prior clearance and consultation.
Official positions affecting regional and community offices must be furnished timely through Public Information-related divisions.

Violations constitute grounds for legal action under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials (RA 6713), Omnibus Rules, Civil Service laws, and the Revised Penal Code.
Disclosure or misuse of classified or confidential information treated as a grave offense.
Penalties include suspension from six months to one year for the first offense and dismissal for the second offense.

The Head of the Executive Agency (HEA) oversees policy implementation.
Public Information Division, Records Management and Documentation Division, and regional Public Affairs Offices cooperate for enforcement and policy improvement.

Unconstitutional provisions do not nullify the entire Order; remaining provisions continue in full effect if they can independently subsist.

All previous Orders, Memoranda, and issuances inconsistent with this policy are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

The Order takes effect fifteen days after publication in newspapers of general circulation.