Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10648 
____________________________________________________________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 
____________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution mandates the state to support the nation’s Cyber 
Defense through appropriate technology, research and development, with 
adequate finance and machinery. Along with other related services. 
Under Section 15 of Republic Act 10844, or the DICT Act of 2015, the 
department has formulated the NCSP 2023-2028, which outlines the 
country’s policy direction and provides operational guidelines towards a 
trusted, secured, and resilient cyberspace for every Filipino. 
Under 
EO 
58, 
all 
concerned 
national 
government 
agencies 
and 
instrumentalities and local government units (LGUs) are directed to support 
and cooperate towards the successful implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028 
while the DICT is ordered to adopt a system for the effective implementation, 
monitoring and review of the plan. 
It added that the DICT, in cooperation with the private sector, shall provide 
technical assistance to other government agencies and offices relative to the 
implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028, as may be necessary. 
The DICT is also directed to submit to the President a bi-annual report on the 
status and progress of the implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028 through the 
Office of the Executive Secretary and the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency 
Committee (NCIAC). 
 This House bill seeks to guarantee the enhancement of our 
cybersecurity forces and policies.  
July 29, 2024
8:00 am


 
Furthermore, this House bill seeks to ensure our evolving accessibility, 
available cybersecurity and counter measures at all times.  
This house bill seeks to establish a comprehensive National Cyber 
Defense Program. 
 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D.    
 


 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
 
House Bill No. 10648 
____________________________________________________________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 
____________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE CYBER DEFENSE 
PROGRAM, TO REINFORCE POLICY DIRECTION, 
PROVIDE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES TOWARDS A 
TRUSTED, SECURED, AND RESILIENT INFORMATION 
HUB, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
SHORT TITLE. - This Act shall be known as the " 
CYBER DEFENSE ACT OF 2024 ". 
SECTION 2. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY. The state shall recognize 
the importance of a trusted cyber defense force in ensuring the well-being of 
its nation. 
 It shall hereby be a declared policy of the state to elevate our 
cybersecurity capacity to preserve and protect its citizenry and cyberspace.   
The state recognizes that an imminent upgrade and extensive 
modernization is long overdue.  


 
Furthermore, the state clearly identifies that the establishment of a 
comprehensive cybersecurity program shall vastly improve the efficiency of our 
nation`s cybersecurity capabilities. 
the state shall hereby provide the necessary support to fund and 
establish the immediate development of our cybersecurity forces.  
The state shall spearhead acquisition of modern and more powerful 
equipment’s, machinery and technology to ensure the preservation and safety 
of its people and cyberspace. Thus to ensure the well-being of the entire nation. 
SECTION 3. 
ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE CYBER 
DEFENSE PROGRAM — There shall hereby be established a comprehensive 
cyber defense program.  
Existing structures, facilities and equipment’s that would meet the 
standard requirements could be upgraded to effectively serve and be 
designated as such in compliance with rules and regulations set by the 
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), 
National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC). 
SECTION 4. 
SUPERVISING AND ASSESSMENT CONCERNS. — 
the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), 
National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC), shall provide the 
necessary technical and financial assistance to ensure the effective operations 
and build-up. 
SECTION 5. 
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY. — The Department of 
Information and Communications Technology (DICT). 
SECTION 6. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. — 
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of 
Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Cybersecurity 
Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC) shall, in consultation with other concerned 
government and private agencies, promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. 


 
SECTION 7. 
TRANSITORY PROVISION – Existing industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 8.  
APPROPRIATION. — The amount necessary for the 
initial implementation to fund this act shall be charged under the Department 
of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).  
The amount of Five Billion Pesos (Php 5, 000,000,000.00) for the operation 
and administration of the Cyber Defense Program shall be chargeable against 
funds for the purpose and other sources recommended by the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM). 
Thereafter, such amounts necessary for the implementation of this act shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
The agencies concerned shall provide for the continued maintenance, 
operation, and management of all the facilities and equipment’s. 
Thereafter, appropriations for the (DICT), shall be included in the budget 
proposals under the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the 
existing organizational structure and staffing pattern of the (DICT) in 
accordance with the prevailing provisions and relevant compensation and 
position classification laws, rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
9. 
CONTINUING APPROPRIATION. - The Department 
of Budget and Management (DBM) is hereby mandated to include annually 
in the next five (5) years, in the President's Program of expenditures for 
submission to Congress, and release, an amount not less than five (5) billion 
pesos (Php 5, OOO, OOO, OOO.OO) for the implementation of this Act. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
Cyber Defense Program shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act (GAA). 


 
 
SECTION 10. 
PERIODIC REPORTS - The Secretary of the 
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) shall 
submit periodic reports on its findings and make recommendations on 
actions to be taken by both Congress and Senate and the appropriate 
departments, in order to carry out the objectives and mandates of this Act. 
SECTION 
11. 
AUTOMATIC REVIEW - Every three (3) years after the 
effectivity of this Act, an independent review panel composed of experts to be 
appointed by the President of the Republic shall review the policies and 
programs in the defense and security sector and shall make recommendations, 
based on its findings, to the President and to both Houses of Congress.  
SECTION 
12. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of the (DICT) 
shall prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the 
Cyber Defense Program which shall be submitted, to the Office of the 
President. 
SECTION 
13. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The (DICT) shall 
maintain a sufficient staffing pattern.  
Hence, it is authorized to increase its manpower to meet such required 
and may continue to increase personnel per percentage rate increase of 
committed mandates annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
14. 
PERIOD 
OF 
IMPLEMENTATION 
– The 
Cyber 
Defense program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of 
three (3) years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the (DICT) shall continue to develop, modernize 
and constantly update its operational capabilities to keep pace with best global 
practices. 


 
SECTION 
15. 
TRANSPARENCY - It is the duty of every citizen to 
preserve and conserve government transparency and all its resources. The 
retrieval and conservation of government transparency and its resources 
shall be vigorously pursued. 
SECTION 
16. 
PENAL CLAUSE. – Any person, whether natural or 
juridical, violating any section of this Act shall, upon conviction, therefore, be 
liable to a fine of not less than five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or 
imprisonment for a term not less than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion 
of the court for each and every violation.  
In case the violation is committed by a corporation or an association, the 
penalty shall devolve upon the president, director, or any other officer 
responsible for such violation. 
SECTION 17. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. — If any provision of this 
Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions which 
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 18. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. — All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, contrary 
to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby modified, amended or repealed 
accordingly. 
SECTION 19. 
EFFECTIVITY. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
Approved,