The CICC and DICT made headlines in September 2026 when Discord was briefly blocked in the Philippines (here’s what happened). But what do these agencies actually do, and how do they fit together? Here’s a plain-language guide.
| Agency | In one line |
|---|---|
| DICT | The government department in charge of ICT policy, internet, and digital government. |
| CICC | Coordinates the fight against cybercrime; runs the 1326 hotline. |
| NTC | Regulates telcos and internet providers; carries out block orders. |
| NPC | Enforces the Data Privacy Act. |
DICT: Department of Information and Communications Technology
The DICT was created by Republic Act No. 10844 in 2016. It is the main executive department for planning, developing, and promoting the country’s ICT agenda. In practice, that covers:
- Connectivity: national broadband programs and free public Wi-Fi in places like plazas, schools, and government offices.
- Digital government: moving government services online, including the eGovPH app.
- Cybersecurity: the national cybersecurity plan and incident response for government networks.
- Digital skills: ICT training and programs for workers, students, and local governments.
- Policy coordination for its attached agencies: the NTC, NPC, and CICC.
The DICT is led by a Secretary. As of September 2026, that is Henry Aguda, who announced the lifting of the Discord block.
CICC: Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center
The CICC was created by the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175) and is attached to the DICT. It is the lead agency for carrying out that law. Its role is mostly coordination: it brings together the police, the NBI, telcos, platforms, and other agencies to act on cybercrime.
What the CICC does
- Runs the 1326 hotline: the Inter-Agency Response Center (I-ARC), often called the “911 for cybercrime,” takes reports of scams, hacking, and online abuse.
- Fights scams: tracks text, online, and financial scams, and flags fraudulent accounts and illegal gambling pages for takedown.
- Protects children online: works against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), and now against nihilistic violent extremism.
- Deals with platforms: asks social media and messaging companies to take down content and cooperate with investigations. That is what led to the September 2026 demands on Discord and Reddit.
- International cooperation: helps with cross-border cybercrime cases.
The CICC is headed by an Executive Director with the rank of Undersecretary. As of September 2026, that is Renato Paraiso.
NTC and NPC: the other two
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
The NTC regulates telcos, internet service providers, and broadcasters. When the government decides to block a website or app, it’s usually the NTC that orders providers to cut access, which is how Discord went dark on Globe and DITO.
National Privacy Commission (NPC)
The NPC was created by the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173). It handles data breach reports and privacy complaints, and it can penalize companies that mishandle personal data.
How they work together
In the Discord case, the CICC issued the demand, the DICT set policy and announced the decision, and the NTC told providers to block access. The same agencies, with the NBI and PNP, work together on the 1326 hotline.
How to report cybercrime in the Philippines
- Call 1326 (CICC Inter-Agency Response Center) for scams, hacking, and online abuse.
- Visit cicc.gov.ph for other reporting options.
- Report data breaches or misuse of personal data to the NPC.
- For crimes in progress, contact the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or NBI Cybercrime Division.
- Save screenshots, links, account names, and transaction receipts before you report.