Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Foreign Relations Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo paid a courtesy visit to Ambassador Sonexay Vannaxay of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to discuss possible areas of digital cooperation between the Philippines and Lao PDR.

Lamentillo presented to the Ambassador the zero draft of the Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Cooperation between the DICT and Lao PDR’s Ministry of Technology and Communications (MTC), which includes cybersecurity as a field of cooperation.

“Ambassador Vannaxy conveyed that Lao PDR’s Ministry of Technology and Communications wishes to pursue cooperation on cybersecurity, among others. They hope that the two nations can conduct and participate in trainings and human resource development activities with regard to cybersecurity,” said Lamentillo.

The DICT, under the leadership of Secretary Ivan John Uy, is exploring partnerships with other nations to further cooperation, exchange of knowledge, technical expertise, and best practices on digitalization, among other initiatives.

Lamentillo is spearheading the Department’s efforts relative to the Marcos Administration’s Build Better More thrust, which aims to expand and improve the country’s digital infrastructure and strengthen ICT initiatives towards a truly digital Philippines.