Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-CALABARZON Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED) conducted an orientation on Republic Act (RA) No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) at DA CALABARZON Satellite Office Conference Room in Quezon City on December 9, 2020.

This activity aims to impart and discuss the provision of RA 10173 and know the law’s basic concepts and principles. Aside from that, this activity seeks to improve personnel capacity in handling personal data and to address concerns participants may have on collecting, processing, and using personal data.

Every DA unit handles its respective datasets as it plans and implements a wide array of projects, programs, and other activities intended for the farmers, fisherfolk, and other agricultural stakeholders. With that, this orientation aims to ensure that data privacy concepts, protocols, and practices will be established in all DA CALABARZON offices to provide non-violation of data privacy laws.

Via teleconference, Information Technology Officer I at the local government of Tayabas City, Mr. Marvin A. Jacela, served as the guest speaker of today’s orientation. He discussed the Data Privacy Protection Competency Guide, which includes the accountability and responsibility tackled in the Data Privacy Act, privacy and security risks, privacy and security control, privacy and security management, and security incident management.

The speaker also discussed the goals of the Data Privacy Act. These goals include protecting the fundamental right of privacy and communication while ensuring a free flow of information to promote innovation and growth. Another goal is to ensure that personal information and communications systems in the government and private sectors are secured and protected.

Also, Mr. Jacela shed light on who has the legal liability of data privacy compliance. These people are the Personal Information Controller (business owner or head of the agency), Personal Information Processor (data processing service provider), and Data Protection Officer (compliance oversight).

Later in his discussion, the speaker enumerated the implementation concerns of the Data Privacy Act and data privacy implementation rules.

Mr. Jacela also discussed the data subject’s rights and the sanctions and penalties when data privacy rights were violated.

Representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology-Luzon Cluster 2, Regional Crop Pest Management Center, Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council, Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, and Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture-CALABARZON were among the attendees of today’s semi-virtual orientation. ∙ (MAP, DA-RAFIS)