VALENZUELA Mayor Wes Gatchalian said that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica), will build a National Cyber Security Center in Valenzuela City.

The project, he said, aims to enhance cyber crisis response in the Philippines and develop the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

“For many years, the former telecommunications office property here in Valenzuela stood quiet and unused, waiting for a purpose worthy of its potential,” Gatchalian said.

“Today, we celebrate not just the groundbreaking of the National Cyber Security Center, but the transformation of that once-idle property into a place that will serve not only Valenzuelanos, but the entire Filipino nation,” he added.

“But this is only the beginning. Next year, we hope to break ground for the Valenzuela ICT Academy through the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela,” the mayor said.

Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda was the signatory in the partnership with Koica, who noted the deal would deepen friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

Aguda said the project would be implemented over five years with the active participation of critical information infrastructure organizations, government agencies, local government units and the private sector.

Also present during the event were Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa and Koica Vice President Lee Yun-young.