Coalition lauds PH gov’t for bolstered support on data governance

The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines, US-ASEAN Business Council, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, Asia Cloud Computing Association, and Asia Internet Coalition have expressed their support for the Philippine government in its efforts to maintain open and enabling policies on data governance and champion the free-flow of data in the region.

This support signifies the importance of data governance and the benefits of allowing the free flow of data for economic growth and innovation.

By maintaining open and enabling policies on data governance, the Philippine government is creating an environment that encourages businesses to invest and operate in the country.

This can lead to increased economic activity, job creation, and technological advancements.

Additionally, championing the free-flow of data in the region promotes collaboration and exchange of information, which can drive innovation and improve the competitiveness of businesses.

The collaboration between these organizations and the Philippine government highlights the recognition of the value of data and the need for effective data governance policies.

It also demonstrates the commitment to fostering a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and contribute to the growth of the digital economy.

For Ascalon, imposing restrictions on cross-border data flows could affect major operations in the IT-BPM industry, such as increasing the cost of services and pose risks for cybersecurity and disaster recovery and redundancy. “The IT-BPM industry is going to be more heavily-reliant on data as it continues to grow. We hope to have the Philippine government and industry’s support to keep our policies open and conducive to the growth of this sector,” she added.

Marie Sherylyn Aquia, Assistant Director from the Bureau of International Trade Relations of the Department of Trade and Industry, said the agency’s position is to support cross-border data flows and to continue with its assessment of the potential implications of data localization when making rules on data governance or negotiating trade agreements.

Shannon Coe, Director of Global Policy at the US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, also underscored the importance of working with international partners in strengthening data protection and cross-border data flows as critical components in the promotion of global trade and investment.

For its part, the Department of Information and Communications Technology emphasized that cybersecurity remains a shared responsibility between the government, citizens, and the public and private sectors.