MANILA, Philippines - The new Data Privacy law is expected to strengthen the country's booming Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry, as it makes Philippine legislation in line with international data privacy standards.
Louis Casambre, executive director of the Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology, said the measure will allow the industry to expand in other segments such as healthcare and HR outsourcing.
"We see this Act as keystone legislation that will strengthen our country’s position as a leader in IT-BPO," he said.
Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 was signed by President Aquino on August 15. It puts in place measures to protect and preserve the integrity, security and confidentiality of personal data collected by government and private entities in their operations.
Alejandro Melchor III, deputy executive director for ICT industry development, said the new law will help the Philippines become a global leader for shared services, one of the fastest growing segments of the IT-BPO industry.
Benedict Hernandez, Business Processing Association of the Philippines president and CEO, said RA 10173 "brings the Philippines to international standards of privacy protection"
The act is based on standards set by the European Parliament and is aligned with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Information Privacy Framework.
RA 10173 also creates the National Privacy Commission under the Office of the President that will enforce the law, receive complaints, set investigations and impose requisite sanctions.source: abs-cbnnews.com
