Team Senator’s Quality Compliance Officer Ms. Anna Ureta attended this year’s 8th National Data Privacy Conference held at Solaire on May 27-28, 2025. The 2-day event centered on a compelling reminder: “The world now is borderless, and privacy must be its shared language — spoken not just by law, but by design, by default, and by intent.” This call to action, delivered by Deputy Commissioner Atty. Belarmino II, reframes privacy as more than a legal obligation—it is a foundational principle of the digital era, to be embedded into every system and process from the start.
The conference emphasized that behind every dataset is a person — a student, a patient, a mother, a teacher, or a child learning online. Protecting data is not just a technical task; it is a moral responsibility to protect lives and dignity. As emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence reshape the digital landscape, the role of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) becomes even more vital.
DPOs are more than compliance officers; they are stewards of trust. Their duty spans the full data lifecycle, ensuring privacy is upheld across borders, technologies, and platforms. With digital services transcending jurisdictions, DPOs must navigate varying standards while maintaining ethical safeguards. They must also serve as strategic advisors — anticipating risk, guiding leadership, and aligning innovation with law and values.
As Secretary Henry Aguda echoed, privacy is a tool for empowerment and public trust. It must be inclusive, accessible, and actionable. In the spirit of digital bayanihan, no one should be left behind. In a truly borderless world, privacy must unite us all — by design, by default, and by intent.
