DA-10 ManCom members and Info Management Section personnel undergo orientation on PNPKI.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To maximize technology in streamlining the agency’s transactions, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) underwent an orientation on the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) on February 13, at the agency compound.

Said activity was attended by the Management Committee (ManCom) members and personnel from the Information Management Section of DA to learn, understand and potentially adopt the PKI technology.

PKI, one of the core services offered by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) refers to an infrastructure that secures communications among individuals and government entities paving the way to a much safer, faster and more efficient delivery of services via online transactions and using digital certificates.

Together with Acmilah Macabuat, Information Technology Officer II, Bret D. John Morales, Planning Officer II of DICT highlighted that at the heart of PKI is the use of issued and digitally signed digital certificates by a Certificate Authority (CA), wherein PKI authenticates the data source and ensures data has not in any way been tampered with in transit.

“In this digital age, it is timely and relevant for us to maximize communication and information technology to allow remote approval of signatories within our department. Not only it will streamline our processes, but it will also help in improving turnaround times, aligning with Republic Act 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act,” DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado remarked.

Further, Republic Act 8792, otherwise known as the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 provides for the legal recognition of electronic signatures and imposes strict requirements before an electronic signature qualifies as a handwritten signature.

The DICT team also underscored the importance of online privacy with a focus on data handling as well as online safety against various cybersecurity threats at the same time gave time to briefly demonstrate the signing of documents using the PKI to have an overview of the process.

DICT is the government CA providing the necessary services in implementing the national certification scheme for digital signatures to promote the development and mass use of e-government services at the same time tackle authentication, integrity and non-repudiation concerns.# (JLO)