SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
Of THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
2490 
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) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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DEC -9 P2:42 
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AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON HIGI-IER EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A 
PROGRAM TO A WARD GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION 
FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OR EXPANSION OF 
CYBERSECURlTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
On 29 August 2010, the Philippine Information Agency's portal was reportedly 
hacked. The site was down for several hours with the words "Hacked by 7zl" appearing 
if searched for on Google. An error message was displayed whenever a uscr tried to 
enter PIA's website. 
In the same week, the local government website of Bulacan was allegedly 
infiltrated by a Chinese hacker who demanded an apology for the Manila hostage tragedy 
that led to the death of eight Hong Kong tourists in 23 August 
The personal Facebook account of President Noynoy Aquino, which is linked to 
his official website, has also been reportedly attacked over the hostage tragedy, 
prompting the President to censor his Facebook page. 
According to news reports, this is not the first time that government websites have 
been hacked this year. In January 2010, hackers defaced the home page of the Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority website. One month before this breach, the 
web sites of the Department of Health, Department of Social W clfarc and Developmcnt, 
Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and 


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Detection Group, and the Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council 
were also allegedly hacked. 1 
In order to help curb the alarming rise in cyber attacks, the Commission on Higher 
Education should encourage institutions of higher education to develop cybersecurity 
professional programs. 
Hence, this bill authorizes the Commission on Higher Education to establish, in 
conjunction with the Department of Science of Technology (DOST), a program to award 
grants to institutions of higher education for: (1) cybersecurity professional development 
programs; (2) associate degree programs in cybersecurity; and (3) the purchase of 
equipment to provide training in cybersccurity for either professional development or 
degree programs. The bill also requires the DOST Secretary to operate the program. 2 
I http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/20 I O/sep/05/hacker-attacks-sti r-cyber-security-debate-philillillL. 
2 This bill was originally tiled by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee before the U.S. House of Representatives (113'h 
Congress). 
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• 
• • 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PI-llLIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2490 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
IJEC -9 
Q 2 :<12 
.. , 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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AN ACT 
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AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A 
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PROGRAM TO AWARD GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION 
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FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OR EXPANSION OF 
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CYBERSECURITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Cybersecurity 
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Education Enhancement Act". 
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SECTION 2. Commission on Higher Education Cybersecurity Training Programs 
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and Equipment. - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), shall establish, in 
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conjunction with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), a program to 
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award grants to institutions of higher education (and consortia thereof) for: 
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(J) the establishment or expansion of cybersecurity professional development 
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programs; 
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(2) the establishment or expansIOn (or both) of associate degree programs 111 
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cybersecurity; and 
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(3) the purchase of equipment to provide training 111 cybersecurity for either 
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professional development programs or degree programs. 


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SECTION 3. Roles.--
(I) CHED - The Chairperson, III consultation with the DOST Secretary, shall 
establish the goals for the program established under this Act and the criteria for 
awarding grants. 
(2) DOST - The Secretary shall operate the program established under this Act 
consistent with the goals and criteria established under paragraph (I), including soliciting 
applicants, reviewing applications, and making and administering awards. The Secretary 
may consult with the Chairperson of CHED in selecting awardees. 
SECTION 4. Awards.-
(I) Peer Review. - All awards under this Act shall be provided on a competitive, 
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merit-reviewed basis. 
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(2) Focus. - In making awards under this Act, the DOST Secretary shall, to the 
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extent practicable, ensure geographic diversity and the participation of women and 
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underrepresented minorities. 
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(3) Preference. - In making awards under this Act, the DOST Secretary shall give 
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preference to applications submitted by consortia of institutions, to encourage as many 
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students and professionals as possible (0 benefit from the program established under this 
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Act. 
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SECTION 5. Authorization of Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this 
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Act, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each 
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fiscal year 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
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unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
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effect. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, 
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or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
/fldpnov20 14 
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