Manila:The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday initiated the Philippine Cybersecurity Conference 2026, urging collective efforts across various sectors to enhance the nation's defenses against advancing cyber threats.

According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Robert Joseph "Jay" de Claro emphasized the necessity of cooperation across sectors to safeguard personal data, critical infrastructure, and essential digital services. He stated that no single agency could handle this responsibility alone.

The conference, part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, is taking place from October 20 to 22 under the theme "Cyber Balangayan Forging a Resilient Nation Through Cooperation, Capability, and Collective Defense." Organized by the DICT Cybersecurity Bureau, the event aims to bolster cybersecurity capabilities, refine incident response, and strengthen partnerships to tackle emerging threats.

Notable attendees on the first day included Representative Brian Poe Llamanzares, Office of the Executive Secretary Undersecretary Facundo Palafox IV, and DICT Undersecretaries Leandro Angelo Aguirre, Christian Mark Guingcangco, and Rodil Aniban. Additionally, representatives from the embassies of Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, along with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Korea International Cooperation Agency, were present.

During his address, de Claro urged stakeholders to unite in addressing cybersecurity challenges, saying, "Let us move toward it as one balangay (plank boat)." The DICT remains committed to enhancing the country's cybersecurity capabilities and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to create a safer, more secure, and resilient digital Philippines.