In order to step up the government’s efforts to prevent cybercrime, Senator Win Gatchalian is attempting to reinstate the cut in the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) 2023 budget.
In a statement on Monday, the legislator raised concern that the National Expenditure Program reduced the NBI’s 2023 budget from its actual 2022 budget of P2.3 billion to P1.8 billion.This includes reducing the agency’s anti-cybercrime enforcement unit’s budget to P21.2 million, an almost 20 percent decrease from this year’s P26.4 million.
Gatchalian said NBI’s anti-cybercrime operations could suffer as a result of the budget cut, particularly at a time when criminal activities including identity theft, credit card fraud, and the spread of spam and phishing messages are on the rise. While the Senate waits for the SIM Registration bill to pass, it is imperative to reinstate the agency’s budget cut, he continued.
According to Gatchalian, “Cybercrimes are flourishing in many territories including the Philippines. I would like to see that the NBI is fully equipped and has the necessary resources, especially in its fight against cybercrimes.”
He emphasized in support of the NBI’s anti-cybercrime operations, “We will do our best to reinstate the amount that was cut in the budget proposal.”
In addition to restoring the amount that was slashed from the NBI’s budget, Gatchalian said that the impending adoption of the SIM registration requirement is also anticipated to make it possible for the NBI to successfully carry out its anti-cybercrime campaign.
He stressed that a significant decline in cybercrime rates would support economic recovery and help enhance the country’s digital revolution.
“Kailangan nating magbigay ng nararapat na suporta sa NBI upang mapigilan at matunton ang mga kawatan na lalo pang nagiging sopistikado na ngayon,” said Gatchalian. “Kung nais nating paigtingin ng ahensiya ang pagpuksa sa cybercrimes, ibigay natin ang lahat ng nararapat na suporta dito.”
Photo Credit: Senate of the Philippine website