Composed of personnel from the DSWD Central Office and its 16 Field Offices, the newly-launched compliance team will serve as the oversight team in ensuring that the Department’s digital systems and initiatives are in strict adherence to data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory standards.
In line with the continuing efforts to foster compliance-driven digital transformation initiatives, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officially launched its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Compliance Team in an inaugural conference and workshop held on December 3-6 at the DSWD Field Office 4-A – CALABARZON in Muntinlupa City.
Sponsored by the Information and Communications Technology Management Service (ICTMS), the 3-day event welcomed the members of the group, citing their convergence as a ‘big boost’ to the agency’s digital systems and processes, particularly in strictly adhering to data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory standards.
In his keynote message, DSWD Chief Information Officer (CIO) Assistant Secretary Julius Gorospe urged the newly-hired team to uphold public trust and ensure that the Department’s modernization meets the highest standards of integrity and security.
“As we embrace technology to revolutionize social protection services, we must never lose sight of the trust our beneficiaries place in us. Your role as compliance officers is to ensure that our systems remain secure, ethical, and inclusive,” Asst. Secretary Gorospe said.
The DSWD’s CIO emphasized that under the directives of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the formation of the compliance team comes at a critical time as the agency is accelerating its efforts to digitalize service delivery and improve transparency in service delivery.
The initiative also aligns with the priorities outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which calls for government agencies to embrace digital transformation to foster efficient, citizen-centered services.
“You are the guardians of our digital transformation, ensuring that we meet regulatory requirements while championing the values of accountability and service excellence,” Asst. Secretary Gorospe told the members of the compliance team.
A compliance-driven digital transformation
The ICT compliance team, composed of newly hired personnel from the DSWD’s Central and Field Offices will be the oversight team in ensuring that the Department’s digital initiatives adhere to national laws, including the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, as well as international standards such as ISO certifications for information security.
Their responsibilities will include monitoring compliance, providing guidance to Field Offices, and mitigating cybersecurity risks in the DSWD’s technology infrastructure.
The initiative also supports the DSWD’s ongoing programs, such as the Beneficiary FIRST (BFIRST) program in partnership with the World Bank, which leverages technology to improve the efficiency and transparency of social protection delivery.
These tasks and responsibilities were briefed to the members of the team during the conference and workshop, which included training sessions on regulatory frameworks, data protection protocols, and risk management strategies.
ICTMS Director Christian Joseph Regunay expressed optimism on the broader impact of the compliance team, noting that it will serve as a model for other government agencies that want to enhance governance and accountability in their digitalization efforts.
“Through our compliance team, and building systems that meet global security and transparency standards, we are improving service delivery and restoring faith in public institutions,” ICTMS Director Regunay said.
As the DSWD continues to implement its digitalization roadmap, the ICT compliance team is expected to play a crucial role in taking bold steps toward achieving the Department’s vision of a more inclusive and technologically advanced future for social welfare in the country. (LSJ)
Tagalog Version
ICT Compliance Team ng DSWD, binuo para palakasin ang ‘digital initiatives’ ng ahensya
Binigyang diin ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang kahalagahan ng digital transformation para sa mas mabilis at maayos na transaksyon sa pagbibigay ng magandang serbisyo sa mamamayan.
Kasabay nito, inihayag ni DSWD Chief Information Officer (CIO) Assistant Secretary Julius B. Gorospe ang paglunsad ng ICT Compliance Team na titiyak sa data privacy, cybersecurity, at regulatory standards ng lahat ng digital systems ng ahensya.
Sa ginanap na inaugural conference and workshop ng ICT Compliance Team sa DSWD Field Office 4A sa Muntinlupa City, sinabi ni Asst. Secretary Gorospe ang mahalagang papel na gagampanan ng ICT Compliance Team.
“As we embrace technology to revolutionize social protection services, we must never lose sight of the trust our beneficiaries place in us. Your role as compliance officers is to ensure that our systems remain secure, ethical, and inclusive,” sabi ni Asec. Gorospe.
Dagdag pa niya, “You are the guardians of our digital transformation, ensuring that we meet regulatory requirements while championing the values of accountability and service excellence.”
Ang ICT Compliance Team ang siyang mangangalaga at magpapaigting ng digitalisasyon ng ahensya sa pagbibigay at magpapagaang ng maayos na serbisyo sa mga kliyente nito base na rin sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., na “Digital Philippines.”
Ang ICT compliance team ay binubuo ng mga newly hired personnel at idineploy sa lahat ng Field Office ng DSWD upang tiyakin na ang mga inisyatibo para sa digitalisasyon ay naaangkop sa batas kabilang na ang Data Privacy Act of 2012 at Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. Titiyakin din ng nasabing grupo na naaayon sa international standards tulad ng ISO certifications for information security ang mga inisyatibo.
Kabilang sa mga responsibilidad nito ang monitoring compliance, pagbibigay ng gabay sa mga field offices, at pagbabantay sa cybersecurity risks ng DSWD technology infrastructure.
Samantala, umaasa naman si DSWD ICTMS Director Christian Joseph Regunay na magsisilbing modelo para sa iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno ang binuong ICT compliance team ng ahensya.
“Our Compliance Team is a testament to DSWD’s commitment to becoming a leader in digital governance. By building systems that meet global security and transparency standards, we are improving service delivery and restoring faith in public institutions. This initiative reflects the department’s broader vision under Secretary Gatchalian: to embrace innovation while protecting the rights and data of the people we serve,” sabi ni Director Regunay.# (MVC)
