To reassure deepened collaboration in protecting the data privacy of their citizens, the Philippines and Singapore have recently renewed an accord to promote exchanges in personal data protection and facilitate trusted cross-border data flows.

The sealing of a memorandum of understanding was personally witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong last 7 September between Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga of the National Privacy Commission and Commissioner Lew Chuen Hong of Singapore's Personal Data Protection Commission.

The first data protection-related MoU was signed in September 2019.

According to Privacy Commissioner Naga, the renewed MoU recognizes the need to foster closer collaboration and cooperation in personal data protection and the free flow of data as the global digital economy advances.

"Diplomatic relations like this MoU are one of the tools to strengthen the Philippines and Singapore's partnership, build mutual trust between our countries, and create greater opportunities in data privacy and protection. Indeed, the MoU intensifies the already existing relations between the Philippines and Singapore," the privacy chief added.