NPC affirms its support for DICT’s National Fiber Backbone Phase 1 Grand Launch
PASAY CITY, April 19, 2024 – The National Privacy Commission (NPC) stands in full support of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) Project of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) under the leadership of DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy.
The grand launch of the NFB Project Phase 1 was graced with the presence of His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. as the keynote speaker. The President hailed the grand launch as one of the successes of his Administration in the pursuit of creating a digital Philippines by providing a fast, reliable, and affordable internet services that seeks to empower every Filipino to actively participate in the digital economy.
The DICT, through its National Broadband Program, implemented the NFB Project Phase 1 which will benefit national and local government offices, communities, and individuals by enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency while extending internet access to approximately 750,000 beneficiaries in Regions I, III, and NCR. The NFB Project is aimed to be completed by the year 2026.
Privacy Commissioner Atty. John Henry D. Naga affirms the support of NPC on President Marcos’ vision of a digitally empowered Philippines, stating “The NPC is fully committed in supporting the Marcos Administration and our mother agency, the DICT, in its endeavor to improve the quality of life of every Filipinos through the enhancement of our internet connectivity.”
“Certainly, the NPC will continuously support the DICT in the subsequent phases of the project, aiming to foster digital inclusivity and strengthen the digital economy across the country, while ensuring that the data privacy rights of the Filipino people are protected,” Commissioner Naga added.
In addition to fostering digital inclusivity and strengthening the digital economy, it is crucial to recognize the intimate link between data privacy and digitalization, and underscore the importance of safeguarding the data privacy rights of every Filipino. The advancement of digital infrastructure, such as the NFB Project Phase 1, necessitates robust measures aimed at protecting personal information in an increasingly interconnected world. As such, the NPC remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborate with the DICT in ensuring that data privacy standards are upheld throughout all phases of the project.
The NPC, represented by Privacy Commissioner Naga, Deputy Privacy Commissioner Atty. Nerissa N. De Jesus, and Executive Director Atty. Ivin Ronald D.M. Alzona, along with other officials and personnel, participated in the grand launch of the NFB Project Phase 1 on April 19, 2024.
For more information about the NFB, please visit https://dict.gov.ph/.
###
