Commitment on data privacy towards e-governance: The case of local government units

The proliferation of ICT in the government sector is a crucial tactic in achieving different dimensions of public trust and services, especially that government offices and local government units (LGUs) are gearing toward e-governance as a way to manage and utilize ICT infrastructure. Moreover, in engaging ICT services, personal data and other critical information must be safeguarded and not exposed publicly. In the Philippines, data privacy act of 2012 (DPA 2012) was promulgated to vanguard sensitive information and data protection, and impose legal sanctions to any organization breached therein. This empirical study aims to explore LGUs on their commitment to data privacy, assess their level of compliance and examine factors that hinder their defiance. The method used is qualitative research in a case study technique, using a multiple case holistic design. Outcomes pattern matching is also used to triangulate records against expected patterns. Results show that before the enactment of DPA 2012, the LGUs under study are not compliant. However, after the passage and the National Privacy Commission (NPC) took action, a significant leap has observed. Determinants of compliance, such as deterrence, legitimacy and moral obligation have compelling casual factors why LGUs are complying with the law. Upon further assessment, pressing concerns are also perceived, such as lack of awareness, wait-and-see attitude, and resource and time constraints. In sum, LGUs are trying to fast-track, overhaul or re-engineering their processes and operations, including ICT infrastructure acquisition, resource allocation, and qualified ICT personnel apportionment as compliance initiatives; and commit themselves to full compliance towards the establishment of better government and e-governance.