The Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS) of the BTA Parliament participated during the Data Privacy Seminar-Workshop conducted by the BTA-Management Information System Division (MISD) on March 25 at the BTA Extension Conference Room, Cotabato City.

The seminar aimed to raise awareness on Data Privacy Act and how it will affect the Bangsamoro Parliament. Engr. Mohammad Nizhar Acmad, Division Chief of the BTA-MISD underscored that “It is imperative that we should start with our compliance with the Data Privacy Act and start protecting the privacy of individuals while ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth.”

As the resource speaker, Atty. Abdel Jamal R. Disangcopan, Director II of Statutory Committee Support Service, shared his expertise on Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act. His lecture was composed of seven modules ranging from the concept of privacy to how the Data Privacy Act will affect the way government, including the BTA Parliament, should handle personal information. One of the key takeaways from the Seminar-Workshop is that government agencies are required to secure sensitive personal information with “the most appropriate security standard” and should maintain controls over how this information is processed both inside and outside their premises.