President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the adoption and implementation of the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028 to strengthen the security and resilience of Philippine cyberspace.

Under Executive Order (EO) 58 inked by Marcos on April 4, the NCSP 2023-2028 crafted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will serve as a “whole-of-nation roadmap for the integrated development and strategic direction of the country’s cybersecurity.”

EO 58 mandates all national government agencies and instrumentalities to formulate, adopt and implement their cybersecurity plans and strategies that are relevant to their respective mandates, in accordance with the NCSP 2023-2028.

Local government units (LGUs) are encouraged to do the same.

“Pursuant to its mandate under Section 15 of RA (Republic Act) 10844, the DICT formulated the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028, which outlines the country’s policy direction and provides operational guidelines towards a trusted, secured, and resilient cyberspace for every Filipino,” the EO reads.

“It is imperative for all concerned national government agencies and instrumentalities, and local government units, to support and cooperate towards the successful implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028,” it added.

The DICT is directed to adopt a system for the effective implementation, monitoring, and review of the NCSP 2023-2028, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

EO 58 also orders the DICT to cooperate with the private sector in providing the necessary technical assistance to other government agencies and offices for the implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028.

According to the EO, the DICT must submit to the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary and the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee, a bi-annual report on the status and progress of the implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028.

The budget needed for the implementation of EO 58 will be charged against current and available appropriations of concerned agencies, subject to pertinent budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations.

The funding requirements necessary for the continued implementation of the order will be included in the General Appropriations Act, subject to the usual budget preparation process.

The strengthening of security and resilience of the country’s cyberspace is one of the key strategies to ensure safety and security in cyber and physical spaces under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

A copy of EO 58 was released on Saturday. The order takes effect immediately upon the document’s publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. (PNA)