DICT vows better cybersecurity to attract investors

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is giving priority to the cybersecurity of its information infrastructure as it seeks to jumpstart the digital economy, which has been stagnating in the past years.

ICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said that the Philippines needs to build trust in the Philippine digital economy to encourage foreign investors to come in and invest especially in the buildup of the digital information infrastructure.

Speaking at the forum on “Enhancing Cyber Resilience: Approach, Responses and Practical Actions” that opened the two-day Pilipinas Conference 2025 in Makati City yesterday morning, Aguda said digitalization must rest on trust and resilience.

He noted that the Philippines was in a “state of digital decline” and must urgently overhaul its digital infrastructure and governance if it hopes to catch up with its ASEAN neighbors.

To reverse the decline, the DICT is pursuing a three-pillar national digital strategy – fast deployment of infrastructure, driving digital adoption across sectors, and institutionalizing governance and cybersecurity.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the DICT reaffirmed their shared commitment to build an inclusive digital Philippines through “Digital Bayanihan: Expanding DICT–UNDP Support for Inclusive Connectivity.”

This marked the official handover of ICT equipment and assets to DICT, and the signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between DICT and UNDP.

The signing of the MOU marks a strengthened partnership between DICT and UNDP to co-create and scale digital governance programs, enhance institutional and policy frameworks, advance data governance, foster partnerships and continuous learning, drive innovation and knowledge exchange, and promote inclusive digitalization that leaves no one behind.

EU partnership

The European Union and the Philippines also signed a new cooperation agreement to advance digital transition.

The cooperation agreement for the EU-Philippines Digital Economy Package, signed on Wednesday, will support the Philippines’ digital transition and technology innovation in 5G, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence in earth observation and digital connectivity.

The EU-Philippines Digital Economy Package is funded by a €20 million (P1.36 billion) contribution from the EU, complemented by an additional €2 million (P136 million) from Finland and €600,000 (P40.8 million) from France. –  Pia Lee-Brago