Cybersecurity Bill Passes 2nd Reading in Philippine House, Eyes NCSA Establishment

The House of Representatives approved on second reading on Monday the proposed National Cybersecurity and Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 2026, or House Bill No. 9605. The bill seeks to strengthen the nation's cyber defenses and protect critical information infrastructure. Following sponsorship speeches by Reps. Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Brian Poe, the legislation aims to establish the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) as the central body for cybersecurity policy formulation and implementation. The proposed act aims to create a comprehensive framework to address the growing risks of cyberattacks and data breaches, enhancing the protection of the Philippines' digital infrastructure. The establishment of the NCSA is expected to improve national-level coordination and response capabilities concerning cybersecurity. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing vulnerabilities in critical sectors such as finance, energy, and telecommunications. In recent years, the Philippines has seen a rise in cybercrime and attacks targeting both government agencies and private companies, making the enhancement of national cybersecurity measures a pressing concern. This bill is intended to lay the legal groundwork to confront these challenges. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo