National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Director General Ricardo de Leon speaking during the National Security Cluster 2024 Communications Workshop at San Narciso, Zambales (Dexter Barro II/MANILA BULLETIN)

SAN NARCISO, Zambales--The Philippines’ two cybersecurity plans that are designed to help safeguard the country against emerging domestic and foreign cyber threats are not in conflict with each other, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) has clarified. 

During the National Security Cluster 2024 Communications Workshop here, NICA Director General Ricardo de Leon bared that the two plans were actually “interrelated”.

Specifically, these plans are the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2024-2029 and the National Security Policy (NSP) 2023-2028, which also include some cybersecurity features.

“Let us clarify, the recently signed National Cybersecurity Plan is aligned to the National Security Policy kasi yun ang (because that is the) mother [policy],” De Leon said, noting that NCSP only offers a more detailed look at the country’s cybersecurity plan compared to the NSC.

President Marcos signed NCSP last February to provide the Philippines with policy direction and operational guidelines for the fortification of its cyberspace.

During a recent House of Representatives probe into the country’s cybersecurity status, Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop suggested the creation of a singular cybersecurity policy.

Acop pointed out that having two plans will only “cause problems” among implementing agencies.

As far as De Leon is concerned, the only way to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity amid impending threats is a bigger budget allocation.

“We are still behind as far as equipments to the attacks. And we are really a favorite country here in Asia [for cyber attacks]. And that’s why we are pushing to enhance the capability for defense for the cyber crimes,” he said.

“In any upgrade, there will be a corresponding budget for purchases of equipment, he added.

De Leon says that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is doing everything in its power to combat the attacks. However, he admits that the agency is lagging behind given the exuberant number of these malicious threats.