As cyber threats become more sophisticated and interconnected, the Bank of the Philippine Islands is calling on government, law enforcement, regulators, industry leaders, and consumers to work together in strengthening the country’s defenses against digital fraud.
At the fourth BPI CyberProtect Conference, more than 250 participants gathered at Fairmont Makati around the theme “Defend as One: Building a United Front Towards Consumer Protection.” The event brought together representatives from government, law enforcement, the banking industry, academe, the private sector, as well as students and senior citizens.
The conference focused on the need for coordinated approaches to cybersecurity and consumer protection, recognizing that no single institution can address today’s digital risks alone. Participants exchanged insights and practices intended to improve fraud prevention, cybersecurity awareness, and the country’s overall cyber resilience.
Three pillars of digital resilience
TG Limcaoco, president and CEO of BPI, said a resilient digital ecosystem rests on three pillars: strong institutions, informed consumers, and active collaboration.
“Strong institutions continuously invest in systems and safeguards. Informed consumers serve as the first line of defense. Active collaboration brings together government, regulators, law enforcement, industry, and communities to address threats that no organization can solve alone. That belief has guided CyberProtect from the very beginning,” Limcaoco said.
He added that cybersecurity can no longer be treated solely as a technology concern.
“Cybersecurity today is not simply an IT issue. It is a consumer issue, a business issue, and increasingly, a national issue. Our response must be just as interconnected as the risks we face,” he said.
Bridging policy and practice
The conference featured speakers from government, regulatory agencies, law enforcement, and the private sector. They included Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, deputy governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Henry Rhoel R. Aguda, secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology; and Atty. Johann Carlos S. Barcena, chairman and commissioner of the National Privacy Commission.
Discussions covered national cybersecurity, data privacy, consumer protection, and the gap between policy and implementation. The event also included specialized breakout sessions for industry representatives, bank employees, and law enforcement officers, with topics including scam awareness, fraud prevention, cybercrime investigation, and consumer protection.
As part of BPI’s 175th anniversary celebration, this year’s event also introduced a dedicated CyberAcademy session for law enforcement, along with specialized industry discussions. These additions reinforced the conference’s emphasis on practical capability-building and stronger coordination among institutions.
Growing participation in consumer protection
Since its launch, the CyberProtect Conference has continued to attract wider participation. Attendance grew from 183 participants in 2023 to 215 in 2024, before reaching 250 in 2025.
BPI said the continued growth reflects the increasing urgency of protecting consumers from evolving cyber threats. It also reinforces the bank’s call for government, industry, law enforcement, and the public to treat cybersecurity as a shared responsibility.
In Summary
The fourth BPI CyberProtect Conference brought together more than 250 stakeholders to advance stronger consumer protection against digital fraud. The event focused on institutional safeguards, consumer awareness, law-enforcement capability, data privacy, and collaboration across government and industry.