In the absence of an actual law on data sovereignty, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is preparing a circular that will require the localization of sensitive sovereign data in the Philippines.
Top government officials disclosed this during the launch of Philippine operations of data center firm Equinix on Wednesday, October 22, in Carmona, Cavite.
Angel Ignacio, undersecretary of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, said the upcoming policy circular from the DICT underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding digital assets while positioning the Philippines as a prime hub for global technology companies.
“We’re taking steps to localize and protect our sovereign data. The DICT is preparing a circular on the localization of sensitive foreign sovereign data, ensuring its integrity and security while building investor confidence in our digital ecosystem,” Ignacio said during the event, which also had DICT secretary Henry Aguda in attendance.
Ignacio noted that the circular forms part of a broader effort to make the Philippines a competitive destination for hyperscalers, data center operators, and digital infrastructure investors.
“This sends a message to the world that the Philippines is ready to host the world’s biggest technology players,” Ignacio said, citing the country’s 115 million population, young and English-speaking workforce, high smartphone and Internet penetration rates, and rapidly expanding Internet economy.
She emphasized that data centers play a crucial role in sustaining the growth of the country’s digital transformation, serving as the backbone for cloud computing, e-commerce, and fintech industries.
Aguda echoed the government’s commitment to boosting connectivity and supporting the private sector’s expansion into advanced digital infrastructure.
“Ang utos po sa atin ng Presidente, lahat ng Pilipino dapat konektado. Dahil ang Konektadong Pinoy, dadali ang asenso,” Aguda said, impliedly referring to the recently enacted law on open data access.
“Every connected Filipino will have a chance for a better future. This partnership shows that the Philippines is not just a communications hub but a center for compute and technology as well.”
Aguda cited the partnership between Filipino tech firms and global providers like Equinix, saying it demonstrates both local ingenuity and growing international confidence in the Philippines as a digital investment destination.
Industry leaders have also thrown their support behind formalizing data sovereignty policies.
Jimmy Go, president and CEO of VST ECS Philippines, urged Congress to pass a Data Sovereignty Law, similar to those enacted in Indonesia, Vietnam, and China.
“When you look at Indonesia, Vietnam, and China — they have this data sovereignty law. What does it bring to the country? Companies like Google, Microsoft, and AWS are investing in their respective countries,” Go said at the recent CXO Tech Summit in Boracay.
He stressed that requiring local storage of data generated within Philippine borders would encourage multinational cloud and technology companies to establish local infrastructure, creating new jobs and supporting energy, cooling, and green technology sectors.
Equinix Asia Pacific president Cyrus Adaggra said the company’s new Philippine facility is designed to help clients comply with local data sovereignty regulations while promoting sustainability.
“If customers want to maintain all of their data inside a country, they can come to Equinix, establish their own private cloud, and have 100% control of where their data resides,” Adaggra explained.
“We also operate with 96% renewable energy, and this facility is powered by geothermal sources — making it both secure and sustainable.”
