La Union to be a Cybersecurity Model Hub: First Province Nationwide to Partner with Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center

By: Camille R. Bumatay, PIO | Photos By: PIO | Date: September 14, 2023


As La Union became the first province in the Philippines to partner with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center - CICC, Executive Director Usec. Alexander K. Ramos of the CICC said that they expect La Union to be a Cybersecurity Model Hub and plan to open an office in the Region to reinforce the partnership during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing between the Provincial Government of La Union represented by Gov. Raphaelle Veronica "Rafy" Ortega-David and the CICC represented by Usec. Ramos on September 14, 2023 at the La Union Medical Center, Agoo, La Union.

In his message, Usec. Ramos expressed their gratitude for the partnership and said, "Being the first province, we are actually looking at putting a CICC Office to this Region...it will be a regional hub for us to give instant access to our services...to ensure that this partnership ay hindi lang solid but is interactive."

The undersecretary also mentioned, "We have to come up with best practices...maybe La Union could lead the way and we could share this to other LGUs."

Gov. Rafy also expressed her gratitude and excitement to the PGLU-CICC partnership, "To the CICC, my heartfelt gratitude for choosing us to be the very first province in the entire Philippines to be your partner...I personally commit that the Provincial Government of La Union will uphold its roles in our partnership to ensure that all these will directly benefit our constituents and serve as a stepping stone for progress and continued development."

Also present in the MOA signing were Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member Gerard G. Ostrea, Chairperson of the Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety; Board Member Jennifer C. Mosuela-Fernandez, Chairperson of Committee on Laws, Rules and Privileges; Atty. Alvin Navarro of the CICC; Provincial Information Officer Rowan Joshua Dimaculangan; Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Dominique Jose Puzon; and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Glenn Ernest Fonbuena of the La Union Medical Center.

The partnership was brought about by the meeting of Usec. Ramos and Gov. Rafy during the Go Digital Pilipinas kick off in La Union in May 2023 where the governor served as a resource speaker.

Following the MOA signing, it is expected that cybersecurity in La Union will be reinforced to safeguard the integrity of digital and communications systems, networks and databases; for cybersecurity preparedness; quick response to possible cybercrime attempts; and preserve the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information in the province. All these are envisioned through continuous #LaUnionPROBINSYAnihan.

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