THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has renewed its partnership with Google Philippines to address fake news and expand digital literacy efforts across the country.
The two parties sealed their commitment through a joint statement issued on Thursday, emphasizing their shared duty to protect Filipinos online and uphold digital integrity.
Under the partnership, Google will strengthen AI-powered content detection, enhance human moderation, and tighten enforcement of YouTube Community Guidelines.
Meanwhile, DICT’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center will launch a rapid-response channel to flag harmful and unlawful online content, ensuring faster action and greater accountability. This aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to combat disinformation.
“This partnership reflects a strong model of responsible digital governance and private-sector accountability—a necessary foundation in building a safe, trusted, and inclusive digital Philippines,” the joint statement of DICT and Google read.
“This is teamwork for truth. Together, we’re building stronger defenses against disinformation and giving every Filipino the tools to thrive in the digital world,” DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said in the statement.
The partnership also kicks off DigiBayanihan 2.0, a grassroots digital literacy campaign supported by Google Philippines and led by Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), a nongovernment organization.
The program will focus on teaching practical digital skills to communities in the Visayas and Mindanao—bringing the benefits of digital knowledge to those who need it most.
In related development, DICT directed all government agencies to adopt a unified, standards-based approach to ICT planning through their Information Systems Strategic Plans (ISSPs).
Formalized through Department Circular No. HRA-001 s. 2025, titled “Adoption of a Standards-Based Approach to ISSP compliance,” the directive compels national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and other covered entities to align their ICT strategies with national priorities using a centralized and quality-assured planning framework.
