ECCP reiterates support for Data Privacy Act

MANILA, Philippines – The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) has reiterated its support for the implementation of the Data Privacy Act as it seeks to aid in the formation of the Data Privacy Commission and appointment of its possible commissioner.

The ECCP has stressed anew the need for the implementation of the Data Privacy Act in the Philippines should the country wish to take full advantage of big data.

“The business community is watching the improvements in the competition environment with great interest,” the foreign chamber said.

In its yearend meeting with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory Domingo, the ECCP said the trade chief has encouraged the group to provide him with a list of recommendations for the Data Privacy Commission.

The Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC), in which the ECCP is a member, has continued to lament the non-implementation of Philippines’ first data privacy law which it said remains a “piece of paper” after its passage nearly three years.

The JFC said the Data Privacy Act of 2012 which should protect individual personal information in information and communications systems in the government and private sector remained in its dormant state due to the government’s failure to create a National Privacy Commission.

The Data Privacy Law is a landmark legislation seen key to securing urgently needed investments in the country’s still booming IT-BPM-KPM industry by addressing investor concerns about the lack of protection of personal data.

Republic Act 10173, which became law on Sept. 8, 2012, mandates the creation of the National Privacy Commission to administer and implement the provisions of law and to monitor and ensure compliance with international standards for data protection.
The National Privacy Commission would draft and issue the vital implementing rules and regulations needed for the law’s implementation.