As part of the Organizational and Technological Security Measures for Data Privacy Act Compliance, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) held an Orientation on the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing Rules and Regulations on 10 April 2019 at the UPOU Centennial Center for Digital Learning (CCDL) Auditorium.
The orientation, organized by the Office of the Chancellor (OC), was attended by the UPOU faculty, research, extension and professional staff (REPS), and administrative staff. Atty. Marcia Ruth Gabriela P. Hernandez, the UP System Data Privacy Officer, served as the main resource speaker along with Human Resource and Development Office Chief and UPOU Data Privacy Officer, Mr. Michael Lagaya, and Information and Communication Technology Development Office (ICTDO), Director Dr. Ria Mae Borromeo.
Atty. Hernandez explained the definition of the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012, its coverage, and the role of UP as the national university and it being in the forefront in upholding human rights. The processing of personal vs sensitive personal information, as well as the duties and responsibilities of UPOU as Personal Information Controller (PIC) were also discussed. Atty. Hernandez explained that UPOU, as PIC, is accountable for complying with the requirements of the DPA and how, as an institution, will it protect the rights of the data subjects — its students and alumni.
Dr. Borromeo, on the other hand, talked about Data Security for UPOU employees, in an effort to protect the university from cyber attack and data breaches. At the end of the program, Mr. Lagaya gave a run through of the accomplishments and ongoing projects and plans of the HRDO in relation to the implementation of the Data Privacy Act. (LPPetrasanta)
