Año pushes security beyond borders, links strategy to daily lives of Filipinos
National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año (Courtesy of National Security Council)
National security must now be felt not just in military preparedness but in affordable food, decent jobs, reliable healthcare, and trustworthy institutions.
This was stressed by National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año during the recent National Security Summit 2025 convened by the National Security Council (NSC) at the Philippine Army Officers Clubhouse in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
“National security now spans all dimensions of national life, from digital safety and economic stability to food, water, and energy systems,” he said.
The summit, held last Dec. 12, gathered heads and senior representatives of 97 national government agencies along with private sector partners. Año said this marked a shift toward deeper coordination under the National Security Policy (NSP) 2023–2028 and the National Security Strategy (NSS) 2024.
With the theme “Advancing Strategic Synergy to Achieve National Security,” the meeting highlighted how security planning is being embedded into national development efforts under the current administration.
Año emphasized that threats are no longer limited to armed conflict but include risks to food supply, health systems, digital spaces, and economic stability.
He said national security now cuts across “all dimensions of national life” as he noted that the implementation of the NSP and NSS has progressed from compliance-driven reporting to more disciplined, data-based execution.
He called on agencies to sustain unity and coherence through 2026 and stressed that protecting the nation is a shared responsibility.
Sectoral briefings during the summit showed how agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Health (DOH) were aligning their programs with national security priorities, particularly in safeguarding science, technology, and health systems.
Partner agencies and organizations were recognized for their contributions to implementing the NSS.
The summit concluded with the turnover of the NSP/NSS Formulation and Accomplishment Report.
Año said this signals a transition from planning to sustained implementation to ensure that security policies directly support sovereignty, public welfare, and the country’s long-term resilience.