Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10844)
The law is known as the "Department of Information and Communications Technology Act of 2015."
The policy is to recognize the vital role of information and communication in nation-building and to ensure strategic, reliable, cost-efficient, and citizen-centric ICT infrastructure, systems, and resources as instruments of good governance and global competitiveness.
ICT is defined as the totality of electronic means to access, create, collect, store, process, receive, transmit, present, and disseminate information.
They include policy and planning, improving public access, resource-sharing and capacity-building, and consumer protection and industry development related to ICT.
The Department is headed by a Secretary who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.
They must be a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, proven integrity, and at least seven years of competence and expertise in ICT or related fields such as information security, data privacy, e-Commerce, or human capital development in the ICT sector.
The Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO), National Computer Center (NCC), National Computer Institute (NCI), Telecommunications Office (TELOF), National Telecommunications Training Institute (NTTT), and all communications-related operating units of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
The CIO Council, chaired by the DICT Secretary and composed of CIOs of government agencies, assists the DICT in implementing government ICT initiatives.
The Department ensures and protects the rights of consumers and business users to privacy, security, and confidentiality related to ICT in coordination with relevant agencies and international bodies.
The transition period is six months from the effectivity of the Act; during this time, existing personnel continue in holdover capacities until new appointments are issued.