To combat national cybersecurity threats, the Philippines is partnering with Korea to ensure that our government has a solid foundation. On June 29, 2026, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) broke ground on the new National Cybersecurity Center (NCC).
The NCC will be built at the DICT Valenzuela Compound on MacArthur Highway. This $25.6-million (about ₱1.5 billion) project aims to strengthen the country’s defenses against global cyber threats.
AI is making it easy for threat actors to launch attacks. According to a CrowdStrike report, there’s been an 89% increase in attacks by AI-enabled adversaries. Due to the proliferation of AI, an eCrime can be executed in as little as 27 seconds. That’s why we need an actual cybersecurity center to detect and confront these kinds of digital threats.
A Dual-Facility Shield
The project will use a dual-facility setup to keep operations running even during local emergencies or natural disasters. The main headquarters will be in Valenzuela City, with a backup disaster recovery center in Ilocos Norte. Once finished, the center will operate around the clock to monitor networks, gather threat intelligence, and coordinate responses nationwide.
The groundbreaking comes just a year after the local government of Valenzuela and the DICT signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the site during National ICT Month in 2025. Now, construction is underway.
DICT and South Korea partnership
Diplomatic and technology leaders gathered at the site to highlight the importance of strong cybersecurity as part of digital transformation.
South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Lee Sang-hwa, underscored the collaborative project as a vital cornerstone for the country’s economic future. Lee said that by strengthening the Philippines’ capacity for cyberthreat monitoring, incident response, and coordinated defense, the NCC will provide an essential foundation for the country to reap the benefits of digital transformation while managing the risks that accompany it.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the new center will help make President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a secure, digitally empowered nation a reality. The center will bring together cyberthreat reporting from all government branches, which have often worked separately in the past.
South Korea has been proactive in combating cybersecurity threats not only from North Korea but also from other sources. They have one of the most advanced digital infrastructures in the world, and this partnership could not only benefit the Philippines but also shore up South Korea’s regional defenses.
Local officials are also focusing on developing local talent. Valenzuela City government officials shared plans to connect the city’s ICT Academy with the new center. This will give aspiring technology professionals a chance to train with global cybersecurity experts.
Hopefully, this joint Philippine-Korean facility will be one of the key investments in protecting our digital lives as cyber threats evolve. Maybe the AI data centers that will be set up here could help protect our country’s digital and vital infrastructure from threat actors.