By Liezelle Soriano
THE House of Representatives pushes for an additional budget for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for 2024 due to incessant cybersecurity attacks.
House Committee on Appropriations chairperson Elizaldy Co of Ako-Bicol party-list issued the statement after issues of hacking of the databases in government agencies such as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Science and Technology, the Philippine National Police, Philippine Statistics Office and now the House of Representatives.
“We recognize the dire need of the DICT for resources to fight cybercrime and ransomware attacks. We will work with our colleagues in the Senate to look for more sources of funds for the DICT,” Co said.
“For the continuing ransomware attacks, we convey to the Department of Budget and Management the urgent need for additional funds for the DICT and for government agencies being attacked and vulnerable to cyberattack,” the lawmaker added.
The proposed budget of DICT for 2024 is P8.729 billion.
DICT was among the agencies whose confidential funds were removed.
Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy said that it will appeal to Congress to grant the P300 million confidential funds.
Earlier, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said that DICT does not need confidential funds, saying that the department can tap cybersecurity experts of the National Bureau of Investigation for surveillance needs.
“We should maintain the zero allocation and…they can avail of the expert services of agencies who have their own confidential and intelligence funds,” said Lagamn in a report.
(ai/mnm)
