The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is urging government agencies, law enforcement, industry leaders, and consumers to strengthen collaboration against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, saying digital fraud has become a national concern that requires a united response.
Speaking at the CyberProtect Conference on July 30 at Fairmont Makati, BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco said building a resilient digital ecosystem depends on cooperation among institutions, regulators, businesses, and the public.
“Strong institutions continuously invest in systems and safeguards. Informed consumers serve as the first line of defense. Active collaboration brings together government, regulators, law enforcement, industry, and communities to address threats that no organization can solve alone. That belief has guided CyberProtect from the very beginning,” Limcaoco said.
He added: “Cybersecurity today is not simply an IT issue. It is a consumer issue, a business issue, and increasingly, a national issue. Our response must be just as interconnected as the risks we face.”
The conference, themed “Defend as One: Building a United Front Towards Consumer Protection,” gathered more than 250 participants from government, law enforcement, the banking sector, the academe, the private sector, students, and senior citizens to discuss ways to strengthen consumer protection and the country’s cyber resilience.
Held as part of BPI’s 175th anniversary, this year’s event introduced a dedicated CyberAcademy session for law enforcement alongside specialized industry discussions aimed at improving coordination in addressing cyber risks.
Among the speakers were BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda, National Privacy Commission Chairman Atty. Johann Carlos S. Barcena, and Limcaoco.
Discussions focused on translating cybersecurity policies into practice, strengthening data privacy, combating fraud, and enhancing cooperation among stakeholders to better protect consumers in the country’s expanding digital economy.
