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Digital Rights Conference 2024

Bringing together digital rights professionals, experts, lawyers, journalists, and local communities, the two-day conference delved into the history of the Philippine Internet while addressing a spectrum of current and emerging issues. Discussions ranged from artificial intelligence, privacy, and cybersecurity to access, inclusion, gender, and freedom of expression. This gathering aimed to dissect the multifaceted landscape of digital rights in the country, fostering dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Two main personal highlights of the conference that comprehensively addressed key aspects of digital rights are the sessions on Critical Information Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies, as well as Cybersecurity: Aligning GRC Principles and Digital Rights. These sessions provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of technology and its impact on digital rights.

Sufficient provision of laws and a positive change in culture were the central themes that emerged from the former session. Throughout these discussions, there was a clear recognition of the importance of legal frameworks in safeguarding digital rights, particularly concerning critical information infrastructure and emerging technologies. While these advancements undoubtedly enhance people's way of living by making it easier and more convenient through the improvement of products and services, there was also the disturbing concern regarding the misuse of data. What makes this more concerning is that customers are not really equipped to understand what these entities can do with their data. In our increasingly data-driven world, the gap between the capabilities of companies and the awareness of consumers regarding data usage becomes more apparent. As one of the speakers involved in the National Privacy Commission stated, it becomes a “push and pull between companies and customers.” Despite the benefits of technology, individuals often lack a comprehensive understanding of how their personal information is collected, stored, and utilized by various entities. This information disparity places consumers at a disadvantage, leaving them vulnerable to potential exploitation and privacy violations.

With this in mind, civil society organizations play a crucial role in bridging the gap between government capabilities and consumer awareness. By advocating for digital rights and educating both consumers and companies about the implications of their actions, these organizations contribute significantly to creating a more informed and equitable digital landscape. However, the pressing need for regulators to adapt swiftly to technological advancements to ensure the protection of individual rights still remains. The underlying issue is that there is no entity providing the imperative for regulators to learn these aspects, and we are uncertain if those in positions truly comprehend what the technology can and cannot do. In line with this, the Artificial Intelligence Act of the EU was also discussed. The section on banned applications reads:

The new rules ban certain AI applications that threaten citizens’ rights, including biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics and untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage to create facial recognition databases. Emotion recognition in the workplace and schools, social scoring, predictive policing (when it is based solely on profiling a person or assessing their characteristics), and AI that manipulates human behaviour or exploits people’s vulnerabilities will also be forbidden.

According to a lawyer who is also a Master Privacy Trainer, permissionless innovation indeed presents challenges. He indicated that a possible solution to this is employing regulatory sandboxing to determine if applications have any impact on fundamental rights and freedoms. This approach can also help address the knowledge gap and prompt individuals to consider whether they are merely "in love with the fad" or if they genuinely comprehend the developments in AI. Additionally, the operation of AI is “use case to use case” meaning to say that sometimes it can be exploited, sometimes it can be used for good.

By emphasizing the dual importance of legal frameworks and cultural shifts, the collective responsibility to safeguard individuals' rights in the digital age was underscored. Through continued efforts in legislation, education, and advocacy, the session aimed to pave the way for a more equitable and rights-respecting digital landscape.

"It is up to us individually to make sure that necessary protections get applied. Are we doing it because it is the right thing to do or because there is a penalty?"

Philippine Internet After 30 Years: Where Are We Now?

In celebration of 30 years of the Philippine Internet, the Philippine Computer Society hosts a panel discussion featuring pioneers of the Internet in the Philippines. The dialogue revolves around the pre-Internet era and the current performance of the country in Internet governance, extending to discussions about digital transformation and artificial intelligence adoption in the Philippines, during which the panelists share their past experiences and future visions in this field.

Reflecting on what the Philippines was like pre-1994 or before the advent of the Internet, the Bulletin Board System (BBS) stood as the primary platform for communication and information exchange. Alongside BBS, T1 lines were accessible, but because of their slow speeds and expensive costs, not everyone fully utilized them. It was also during this time when government agencies were starting to explore online transactions. Examples of this are the National Statistics Office (NSO), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and Philippine National Police (PNP), which had very simple systems that were connected to telephone lines even before the widespread adoption of the Internet.

Fast forward to the present, the progress of the Philippines in internet governance can be considered moderate. The developments made regarding the Internet and integration of online services in the country were 'just in time' for the pandemic setting. However, issues such as decent speed and cost remain significant concerns, leaving us somewhat lagging behind compared to our Asia Pacific regional counterparts. Additionally, our level of cybersecurity is somewhat lacking, posing potential risks to users' data privacy and security. Considering that the Philippines holds a notable position in terms of online presence, ranking second in global surveys with approximately 12.5 hours of use per day, it raises even more concerns about overexposure and vulnerabilities. Currently, there have been numerous instances of personal information being compromised as it is unknowingly given away by users themselves through online quizzes and similar activities due to a lack of better education and awareness on these matters.

Quoting the Chairman of the PNP Information Technology Management Service Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development, one of the panelists, “We are not ahead, but we are not too far behind.” PNP is making efforts to combat cybercrime and creating more initiatives to ensure the safety and protection of online users. In addition to government agencies’ efforts, private entities and citizens can also contribute to and cope with the adoption of DX and AI, especially since Filipinos are naturally curious and open to technology. When dealing with emerging technologies, we can always emphasize and take advantage of our own cultural Filipino advantage—our ability to adapt.

Everyone has the power to be co-creators of the digital future. We should not be afraid, but we should also be mindful in utilizing the capabilities of DX and AI. Users should be responsible, particularly since it is evident that some people have become overly reliant on AI as a substitute for their own cognitive abilities, leading them to passively rely on AI instead of actively thinking for themselves. Additionally, the concepts of self-governance and marketability should not take precedence over the need for proper safeguards and regulations. This is where proactivity becomes crucial, not only for businesses and regulators but also for users.

"There are certain things AI cannot do. What ChatGPT teaches us is how to ask the right questions. No education is wasted; follow your heart and learn whatever you can because everything is connected to everything else.

Never stop learning because in learning, you discern what is superficial and what is real. AI was not designed to give you the best answer; it is simply designed to give you the next best word. Always look at AI as a tool rather than as a replacement for the brain."

Understanding EQ in the IT Context

"IQ gets you hired, EQ gets you retained and promoted." In the current dynamic landscape of Information Technology, where technological innovations materialize rapidly, relying solely on technical skills is no longer sufficient, particularly as AI increasingly replaces human roles. Conversely, competencies such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving—essential 21st-century skills—remain irreplaceable by AI, at least for the time being. This stresses the importance of honing the aforementioned skills, which compose one’s emotional intelligence. Enhancing EQ includes:

• Self-awareness - Practice mindfulness or journaling for emotional understanding.
• Self-regulation - Employ stress management techniques like deep breathing.
• Empathy - Enhance active listening and perspective training.
• Social skills - Improve communication and teamwork through orientation.

Implementing emotional intelligence in the IT workplace entails a multifaceted approach. This includes providing avenues for orientation and development through EQ workshops and coaching sessions, fostering leadership that exemplifies EQ principles, acknowledging and rewarding employees practicing EQ competencies, and nurturing a culture of continuous growth and improvement. Such initiatives not only enhance individual EQ but also cultivate a collaborative and emotionally intelligent workforce. Some of the productive applications of EQ in the IT context are:

• Adaptability - EQ helps IT pros thrive amidst rapid technological changes.
• Problem-solving - EQ fuels creative and innovative approaches to technical challenges.
• Client relationships - EQ enhances understanding of clients' needs and fosters rapport.

By recognizing the indispensable role of EQ in fostering a conducive work environment and by prioritizing EQ alongside technical proficiency, organizations can foster an environment where enhanced communication, inspired leadership, and adept stress management come together to drive sustained growth and excellence not only in the ever-evolving field of IT but also in our hyperconnected and interconnected society.

Audio-Visual Exhibit for the Campaign to End Violence Against Women

The United Nations Philippines, in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women and SM Group of Companies, along with the support of agencies within the United Nations Gender Thematic Group—including the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women, UNICEF, UN Development Programme (UNDP), International Labour Organization (ILO), UN World Food Programme (WFP), UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)—initiates the celebration of Women's Month in their launch of the exhibit focusing on gender-based violence against women.

Leading the commencement of the ten-day exhibit are UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Gustavo Gonzalez, and UNFPA Philippine Representative, Dr. Leila Joudane. Mr. Gonzalez highlighted the significance of investment and collaboration in improving the state of gender equality in the country as well as the rights and opportunities available for women and girls. Dr. Joudane further elaborated on the ongoing challenges related to gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health, stressing the imperative for continuous improvement in these areas. On a positive note, the Philippines has demonstrated commendable performance in the 2023 World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Index report (GGGR), securing the 16th position out of 146 countries. The combined efforts of various organizations, movements, and societies have played a pivotal role in this progress. A prime example is the partnership between UNFPA and the Philippine Commission on Women in developing a National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women.

This collaborative effort reflects a collective determination to create a future where women can live free from violence and discrimination, embodying the spirit of Women's Month and the ongoing pursuit of gender equality.

DOST Science Education Institute Strategic Intervention Material for Teaching with Augmented Reality Workshop

With the increasing technological advancements in the world, education also adapts to keep up with the demands of the modern digital age. The Department of Science and Technology Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) is constantly developing new avenues to make teaching and learning more engaging, interactive, and accessible through innovative approaches and tools.

It has come to a point where the existing traditional learning resources and curriculum are not sufficient to fully equip students with the currently relevant knowledge and expertise. DOST-SEI is currently working on broadening the scope of implementation of the 21st Century Learning Environment Model (21st CLEM), which aims to “support the development of 21st-century skills and bridge the technological gap between teachers and students”. The four common core skills they use as foundations of the model are the 4Cs: collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Among the components of the 21st CLEM, “Virtual and Augmented Reality Tools for Teaching and Learning” and the use of “Powerful Tools for 21st Century Teaching and Learning” cover all four core skills.

As an example of the employment of VR and AR, the Strategic Intervention Material for Teaching with Augmented Reality (SIMATAR) kit was distributed and presented. This includes a textbook set consisting of five volumes and a shared tablet where the accompanying applications are installed.



Participants, including both adults and students, found the experience of using SIMATAR enjoyable, as it transformed learning from merely reading textbooks to interactive engagement through simulated displays on tablets and phones. We were able to “touch” the animals, watch them move and eat, and even flip them upside down using the provided SIM cards. Although I also found this new learning tool fun, there are some areas for improvements that can cater to a larger number of students and accommodate more learning resources efficiently. For instance, the high battery consumption of the app during the simulation viewing session resulted in overheating issues with the phone. This may be a potential problem for students since not everyone has the means to purchase a phone that is less likely to overheat, should it be the problem of the phone model. Another improvement that can be made is the compilation of applications into a single app instead of separate ones per lesson. Installing multiple apps to be able to use SIMATAR might be challenging since students will need to install every time there is a new lesson. It would be better if there is only one main app either for a grade level, a subject, or a unit lesson, to lessen the storage consumption.

Through innovations such as SIMATAR, students are afforded the opportunity to engage with educational content in dynamic and immersive ways, preparing them for success in the fast-paced digital era.

3rd Women in STEAM Summit: Transforming Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM) for Lifelong Learning

A more inclusive and innovative future led by women in STEAM has always been an aspiration that various institutions and communities have continuously pursued, aiming not just for the betterment of the present generation but also for the development of future ones. The 3rd Women in STEAM summit hosted by the UP National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development is a testament of the collective efforts made to empower women to make them feel heard, seen, and respected in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM).

The significance of creating a space for women and girls in STEAM was emphasized in the summit, as this matter is not only limited to the sake of the women and girls alone but it also concerns the society and its productivity as a whole. UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Gustavo Gonzalez reinforces this fact with his statement, “Empowering girls and young women in STEAM education is not just recognizing a fundamental human right. It is also recognizing that this is the most effective way of making society sustainable, because it is inclusive”. High priority and active engagement is placed by the UN in this gender equality agenda linked with the right to education—one of the most fundamental human rights—as they work in cooperation with United Nations International Labor Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). To further elucidate the importance of gender equality in this sector the following figures from various UN organizations were presented in relation to the challenge faced by women in STEAM:

• Globally, girls make up only 35% of STEAM students—in the Philippines, this figure is close to 50%
• By 2050, 75% of jobs will be related to STEAM areas
• At present, women are underrepresented in STEAM with women having only just 22% of positions in artificial intelligence, to just name one of them
• Women in the Philippines are 140% more likely to lose their job due to automation than men

Mr. Gustavo expressed that people can count on the full support of the UN in addressing these gender disparities, particularly since gender equality is at the heart of the development work of the UN and is contained in the new UN cooperation framework as one of its key elements. While on the subject of UN cooperation, Mr. Gustavo also invited the participants, especially the youth, in the Summit of the Future this September 2024 in New York, where the contributions of 193 countries are put into consideration as the United Nations examines present international cooperations.


In line with this, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue stresses that the gender gap is not only a social issue but an economic one as well. She highlighted three points that should be given significant attention, which are innovation, education, and inclusion. Although one of these can exist by itself, without the others, efforts in solving disparities in gender and in opportunities will not be fully achieved and completed. To serve as foundations that will support and strengthen the aforementioned points, she discussed the crucial role of policy, industry development, and international cooperation. Fortunately enough, the Philippines—albeit facing gender gap challenges in STEAM—has performed fairly in the digital policy sector, ranking 3rd after Malaysia and Singapore in the ITU ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2025 and placing first in the Stakeholder Engagement area as well as the Regional and International Cooperation area with 90% and 100% scores, respectively. To end her message, Undersecretary Atty. Jocelle also publicly announced in advance that the celebration of ITU’s Girls in ICT Day on April 25, 2024 will be held in the Philippines and hosted by DICT.

On the topic of lifelong learning and education in STEAM, Faculty of Education Dean Charisse Reyes of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU)—the pioneer and leading institution in online learning and teaching as well as in open and distance learning in the Philippines—tackled about how the heart of their programs is centered in contributing to the advancement of SDG 4, which is Quality Education. Using the Asia Pacific SDG 4 Education 2030 outcome targets and means of implementation, she enumerated the targets that are already working and functional in the educational institution. Meanwhile the following are those that they are still trying to gear towards:

• Target 4.4: Increase the Number of People with Relevant Skills for Financial Success
• Target 4.A: Build and Upgrade Inclusive and Safe Schools
• Target 4.C: Increase the Supply of Qualified Teachers in Developing Countries

Considering the rapid change in today’s globalized environment, the need to continuously adapt is addressed through the integration of 21st century skills or transferable skills (e.g. information literacy, ICT literacy, critical thinking, creativity, and innovation) by reforming the curricula. UPOU itself is also making gradual changes to the programs they offer to cater both the needs of their students and the goals of the UN in SDG 4. For Target 4.C, UPOU plans to add more postgraduate academic programs on top of their undergraduate and diploma offerings. This includes Master of Arts in Mathematics Education, Master of Arts in Science Education, as well as Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education.

Apart from these personal highlights of the event, there were also plenary sessions, fireside chats, and panel discussions that showed the many challenges that women face in the STEAM career. However, the women who stood in front of us and shared their experiences only prove that women too have the capabilities and talents to make a difference in these fields and in society in general.

Recognizing the presence of women in STEAM is one thing, but acknowledging them and providing them with the opportunities they deserve is another. While it is good and inspiring to hear positive stories from successful women, it is still crucial to focus on addressing systemic barriers and biases that prevent women from fully participating and thriving in these domains. At present, there are already numerous women making positive changes despite facing significant obstacles. How much more progress could be achieved if these barriers were eliminated altogether?

Department of Science and Technology International Day of Women and Girls in Science Leadership

“The world will definitely be a better place with more women in science.” However, at present, there is still a lack of women's representation in the science field. The Department of Science and Technology's celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls focused on the obstacles successfully navigated and the hurdles that we have yet to overcome.

Creating opportunities for women in STEM requires concerted efforts from policymakers, educators, employers, and society as a whole. An overarching solution proposed by organizations locally and globally is the allocation of resources and support. Considering all the information and experiences shared during this event, it is apparent that these play a crucial role in breaking most barriers to women’s participation and recognition in science.

The absence of resources like mentorship programs, research funding, and supportive networks exacerbates disparities, hindering the advancement of women in STEM fields, where they often begin at a disadvantage. According to the Department of Science and Technology Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), their objective is to produce a critical mass of human resources in Science and Technology to support national development programs. They also aim to further strengthen science, technology, and innovation inculcation in the Philippines. These objectives will address personal and educational development and create avenues for increased participation and engagement. As most speakers mentioned, it is easy to generate interest in STEM among women and girls, but retaining them is challenging, especially given the field's often unwelcoming nature to women. Apart from human resources, legal resources were also discussed in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Science and Technology Division's conversation on the structural and systemic barriers women face. One challenge identified is the absence of gender-disaggregated STEM data, which hampers efforts to develop targeted policies and programs catering to the specific needs and challenges faced by women in STEM. Additionally, many institutions operate under neutral or gender-blind policies that fail to account for the unique barriers and biases women encounter in the field.


Policy Brief Strengthening ASEAN Women's Participation in STEM
Finally, the most fundamental key to overcoming these challenges is support. Addressing personal and cultural challenges experienced by women, such as gender stereotypes, norms, bias, and discrimination, heavily relies on the presence of support and a positive societal shift in culture. Breaking all barriers involves a collaborative effort from various organizations. With a strong foundation of support, resources such as human, legal, and financial provisions will be much easier to obtain and mobilize.

The need to overcome the persistence of inequalities faced by women in science is not only for their advantage and gain but also for the world as a whole. Women can also provide solutions, innovate, and, most importantly, lead. It is high time that women are heard and recognized.