DBM PRESS RELEASE
31 May 2023
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), an advocate of the Data Privacy Law, held a two-day learning session in celebration of the annual National Data Privacy Awareness Week.
On 30 May 2023, DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, with Undersecretary Maria Francesca M. Del Rosario, formally signed two documents, the DBM Data Privacy Manual, and Data Privacy Commitment Statement.
The Data Privacy Commitment states that the DBM “shall maintain transparency and openness towards our data processing activities and respond promptly and efficiently to any inquiry, complaint, or request related to personal data protection; inform our client government agencies, employees, and partners of their rights and provide means to exercise them effectively; and continue to evaluate and improve our data privacy strategies to ensure the effective delivery of our commitments in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards.”
Opening the 31 May program was Usec. Del Rosario, Functional Group Head of DBM’s Information and Communications Technology Group.
The second day of the event involved learning sessions and open forum on data privacy.
“We’re not just managing the cybersecurity or security of financial information, we also have the personal information of all government employees nationwide. That’s how important these sessions are,” said Usec. Del Rosario.
Lawyer Leandro Angelo Aguirre, Privacy Commissioner of the National Privacy Commission, discussed certain sections of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations — including Security of Personal Information, Principle of Accountability, and Security of Sensitive Personal Information in Government.
This was followed by a session on Cybersecurity and Privacy.
Republic Act 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, “declares as a State policy the protection of the fundamental human right of privacy of communication while ensuring the free flow of information to promote innovation and growth.”
The law likewise says that “the State recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology in nation-building and its inherent obligation to ensure that personal information in information and communications systems in the government and in the private sector are secured and protected.”
Proclamation 527, declaring the last week of May as National Data Privacy Week, was signed on 3 July 2018.
###
