DICT hopes for re-inclusion of confidential, intelligence funds in its 2021 budget

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is pushing for the re-inclusion of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) in its proposed P46-billion budget for 2021.

During the House of Representatives budget deliberations on Tuesday, DICT Secretary Gringo Honasan said the department’s proposal for a CIF was not approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as the funds were mostly needed for COVID-19 response.

“Hindi ko in-approve ‘yung request namin for CIF...pero gusto namin mag-pursige doon. I cannot leave this to chance; cybersecurity has become an imperative not only for our competitiveness but for our survival in a digital world,” Honasan said.

“Hindi naman titigilan ito. With your support we can pursue this,” the Cabinet official said.

While Honasan did not disclose the amount requested for CIF next year, the recently activated Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) of the DICT—the body dealing with the country’s cybersecurity—has an approved budget of only P11.6 million in 2021 against its proposal of P3.3-billion.

For his part, CICC Executive Director Cesar Mancao called on the lawmakers for a higher budget for his agency.

“Sana maibigay... nakakaawa ang Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center dahil nahuhuli na ang ating bansa sa pagtugis sa cybercrimes,” Mancao said, noting that only 6.7% cybercrime cases are filed in all law enforcement agencies.

To recall, the DICT was under fire due its spending of P300 million in confidential funds in the form of three cash advances of P100 million each on November 8, December 3 and December 17 in 2019.

Top officials of the DICT have since said the confidential fund is lawful and legitimate. 

Highlighting the need for CIF, Honasan said that many countries, whether a “friend” or “foe,” are taking interest in the Philippines’ strategic location.

The Cabinet official also said that the DICT is not into “red-tagging” and will not use the CIF for anti-insurgency efforts since its mandate is to ensure cybersecurity. — BM, GMA News