LANAO DEL SUR (PIA)--As the country is now leaning towards digitalization much more since the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) intensifies its campaign to keep data privacy and push for cybersecurity especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In line with this, the DICT together with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Anti-Crime Unit of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (RACU-BAR) spearheaded a webinar via zoom to discuss the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and cybersecurity to instill awareness on every citizen’s right to privacy and prevention against cybercrimes.

DICT-12 and Mainland BARMM Technical Operations Division Chief Engr. Guilbert Simene stressed that this event is the start of their continued partnership with all involved line agencies to secure themselves in the cyber world through being aware of their data privacy rights. 

“The DICT also envisions to have an innovative, safe and happy nation. We believe that the first thing to ensure safety in the digital era is to understand the importance of Republic Act No. 10173 which is commonly known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and the Cybercrime Prevention Act or Republic Act No. 10175,” he said.

DICT-12 and Mainland BARMM Administrative and Finance Division Chief Engr. Manan Butongkay, on the other hand, underscored that they continuously collaborate with appropriate partners to uphold their mission in today’s advent of information and communication technologies (ICT).

This, as the national government through the DICT is doing its best to connect the people for the nation’s fast and easy networking of critical aspects for the delivery of services down to the grassroots.

“Ang DICT ay patuloy ang pakikipagrtulungan sa iba’t ibang ahensiya para sa mga awareness at forum na mga ganito. Nandiyan si National Privacy Commission para sa privacy awareness, at ating law enforcers na laging nandiyan para sa cybercrime prevention awareness para sa isang ligtas, maayos, mahusay at seguridad sa paggamit ng ICT at maging sa social media,” said Butongkay.

While the move for securing data privacy and safety in cyber safety carries on and is even boosted, the DICT hopes that the public will also be helped to have themselves safeguarded against threats lurking in cyberspace.

“I wish that what you have learned will be transformed into an operating reality in protecting yourselves while using the technology and also be aware of the rights on data privacy,” said Simene. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)