Makati Philippines—TŰV Rheinland Philippines in partnership with the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) and SRMS Associates held a Data Privacy Forum last November 24 at the Makati Diamond Residences.
130 participants from various industries attended the forum which main objectives were to create an awareness about the Philippine DPA of 2012, broaden understanding of international data privacy laws, and how to leverage on the international standards and personnel certification.
Local and international experts spearheaded the discussions and shed light to the questions surrounding law, addressing most common concerns from the participants. The forum was divided into two parts—morning and afternoon session—covering a total of five different topics.
GPCCI has actively supported the forum by inviting members of the chamber to participate in the event. Ms. Maan Mariano, Senior Asst. Vice President of Institutional Banking Group Europe Desk at Banco De Oro and GPCCI Treasurer and Board Member delivered the opening message while Dr. Marian Majer, Executive Director / Consultant of Roedl Philippines, Inc. and GPCCI Board Member expertly facilitated the panel discussion.
The Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012
In 2012, the DPA was passed in the Philippines. This law aims to protect the fundamental human right of privacy of communication while ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth, borrowing heavily from some of the more advanced data protection concepts found in Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Last September 2016, the final implementing rules and regulations came into force, mandating all companies with 250 employees and above to comply with the requirements.
Two local experts discussed this during the morning session: Mr. Dondi Mapa, Former Deputy Commissioner of the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and co-author and signatory of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 on the basic understanding of what the DPA is all about while Mr. Mark Parcia, a lawyer with expertise on data privacy, fintech, cross-border investments, M&As, and general corporate law, tackled the legal issues surrounding the DPA.
International Requirements, Technological Convergence, and ISO Standards
TŰV Rheinland experts on the other hand, focused their discussion on bringing the DPA on an international scope. Two important topics were covered by Mr. Andreas Gehrmann, TŰV Rheinland expert and managing director of SRMS Associates: 1) EU and US data privacy requirements and its direct and indirect impact on business and 2) Leveraging on International Standards and Comply with Data Privacy Regulations. Mr. Urmez Rusi Daver, Vice President for ICT Consulting of TŰV Rheinland Asia Pacific shared his expertise on protecting and respecting data privacy, bordering on technological convergence.
Data Protection Officer (DPO) Personnel Certification
One of the major legal requirements of the Philippine DPA is that a company should appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) who should serve as the focal person that will ensure the protection of an organization’s data collection and processing—a requirement that could well be addressed by the Personnel Certification for Data Protection Officer (DPO) service offered by TŰV Rheinland.
Timothy Miller, Global Field Coordinator of TŰV Rheinland Academy and Lifecare graced the event and explained in better detail what the service is about and how it can help Philippine organizations address the requirements of the Data Privacy Act, specifically, how to develop a qualified and well-equipped Data Protection Officer.
Cooperation Agreement
A signing of cooperation agreement between TŰV Rheinland Philippines and the National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines (NADPOP) also took place in the event, marking a significant partnership that local organizations can rely on to for all their DPO concerns. NADPOP Chairman Mr. Carlos Manuel and Vice Chairman Sam Jacoba inked the agreement with TŰV Rheinland Philippines Managing Director Tristan Arwen Loveres and Timothy Miller.