Data Privacy Act seen boosting investments

MANILA, Philippines - The umbrella association for the information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) and Global In-House Center (GIC) is confident that the signing of the Data Privacy Act is an important first step to increase confidence among international investors.

Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) president and chief executive officer Benedict Hernandez said in a statement that Republic Act 10173 otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act signed into law by President Aquino last Feb. 15 would protect and preserve personal data collected by public agencies and private organizations.

“The Act brings the Philippines to international standards of privacy protection. It is based on standards set by the European Parliament and is aligned with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Information Privacy Framework,” Hernandez said.

 He pointed out that the Congress and the Aquino administration have been extremely supportive of the industry as they recognize its role as an important generator of well-paying direct and indirect jobs for Filipinos.

 “Everything we do as a nation to strengthen the industry contributes to increased investment, accelerated job generation, and continued development into an industry characterized by the high-value, high-quality services we deliver to the world,” Hernandez said.

 The country’s IT-BPO industry generated $11 billion in revenues in 2011 and employed approximately 640,000 direct employees.

 Sen. Edgardo Angara and House of Representatives ICT Committee chairman Sigfrido Tiñga co-chair the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering were the primary proponents of the Data Privacy Act in Congress.

“Because the IT-BPO industry and best practice is evolving rapidly, enhancements to existing legislation will ensure that the Philippines remains competitive and in fact leads breakthrough initiatives in best practices for the industry,” he added.

 In a statement, Angara acknowledged that legislation supporting the IT-BPO industry would continue to develop with the industry, citing as an example the importance of balancing the free flow of information with privacy rights.

He also said the Cybercrime Prevention Act should be enacted to provide “a legal framework for the detection, apprehension, and prosecution of such Internet-related crimes as hacking, identity theft, phishing, spamming,” and other crimes.

The Data Privacy Act mandates the creation of a National Privacy Commission under the Department of Transportation and Communications. Although signed into law, Angara said implementation requires training of experts and development of implementing rules and regulations.