The Philippines now has better defenses against any attack on its cybersystems following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would assist its premiere intelligence agency, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said. Marcos said this as he witnessed the signing of the MOU between the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Malacañang on Monday, March 13. Under the MOU, the NGCP will provide technical assistance to the NICA, especially on energy-related security issues, that will significantly contribute to the latter's endeavors in cybersecurity.

NOW: President Marcos witnesses the signing of the MOU between the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in Malacañang. (RTVM Screenshot) @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/FTZ6vuT1Oe

— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) March 13, 2023

In his speech, the President described the signing as "important" in the country's continuing efforts to protect itself against cyberattacks, noting that businesses, which he likened to wars, will now happen in cyberspace. "That is why we are continuing to shore up our defenses when it comes to cybersecurity," Marcos said. "This is an important day because now we have made robust the defenses against any possible attack on our power systems, on any other of the elements in our everyday lives that require power, and, for that matter, that require the exchange of secure information amongst ourselves in society," he added.

Marcos: What we have witnessed today is a very important event in the continuing effort of our country to protect itself against any attack in cyberspace. (RTVM Screenshot) @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/PYAYAWPuhw

— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) March 13, 2023

President Marcos thanked the NGCP for taking on this initiative as it addressed concerns that the involvement of foreign entities in the Philippines' power transmission system would threaten the country's security. "This is a very good step towards answering that challenge. It is but one step because we are continuing to do this-- not only with NGCP-- but we are developing our cyber systems," he said. "We are developing our cyber systems so that we are secure and so that the data that we need to collect and to disseminate is available to us and we are able to do and handle that data in a secure fashion without the risk of it being used, somehow, against the Philippines," he added. According to the President, the MOU between NICA and the NGCP will clarify the requirements of the Philippines' intelligence services to ensure that the country is safe and secure. He said there would be more similar partnerships to help sectors that could be assessed at risk regarding cybersecurity. However, those that we will be done "quietly." "But, nonetheless, it is something we must continue to develop, and it is a good development," Marcos said. "It is a good signal to all of us who have concerns in this regard that we are doing many things to make sure that the Philippines remains secure, that the Philippines remains in accordance with international law, and that the Philippines and its people can rest assured that their territory, their data, their personal information will not be used against us and that they can feel secure," he added. The MOU was signed by NGCP president and chief executive officer Antony Almeda and NICA chief Gen. Ricardo de Leon. Based on its website, the NGCP is a privately owned corporation taking the lead in the operations, maintenance, and development of the country's state-owned power grid, which is an interconnected system that transmits gigawatts of power from where it is made to where it is needed. On the other hand, the NICA, as the government agency mandated to direct, coordinate, and integrate all government activities involving national intelligence, commits itself to providing the NGCP with intelligence that will aid in protecting power transmission assets operated and maintained by the NGCP across the country.