PRIVACY POLICY

The Provincial Government of Cebu (“Cebu Province,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information of individuals who visit and use the official Cebu Province website.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, process, store, protect, and disclose personal information obtained through this website and its online services.

This Privacy Policy is issued in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and applicable issuances and guidelines of the National Privacy Commission (NPC).

By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

The Provincial Government of Cebu may collect personal information when you voluntarily provide it through this website or when you use our online services.

Depending on the service or transaction, information collected may include:

• Full name;

• Residential or mailing address;

• Email address;

• Telephone or mobile number;

• Organization, company, or employer;

• Government-issued identification or application details;

• Information contained in documents submitted through the website;

• Messages, inquiries, complaints, requests, comments, and feedback;

• Information necessary to process government services or applications; and

• Other information reasonably necessary to provide a requested government service.

We may also automatically collect limited technical information when you access our website, including:

• Internet Protocol (IP) address;

• Browser type and version;

• Device type;

• Operating system;

• Date and time of website access;

• Pages visited;

• Referring website or page; and

• Other technical information necessary for website security, administration, analytics, and performance monitoring.

We will only collect personal information through lawful and fair means and, where appropriate, with the knowledge or consent of the data subject.

2. How We Use Personal Information

The Provincial Government of Cebu may use personal information for legitimate government purposes, including:

1. Processing applications, requests, inquiries, complaints, and feedback;

2. Delivering government programs, services, assistance, and information;

3. Responding to communications submitted through the website;

4. Verifying information and documents when necessary;

5. Maintaining official government records;

6. Improving government websites and online services;

7. Monitoring website performance and security;

8. Preventing unauthorized, fraudulent, or unlawful activities;

9. Complying with applicable laws, regulations, court orders, and government requirements; and

10. Performing the official functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Provincial Government of Cebu.

Personal information shall not be processed in a manner incompatible with the purpose for which it was collected, except when otherwise permitted or required by law.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

The Provincial Government of Cebu processes personal information pursuant to lawful bases recognized under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and other applicable laws.

These may include:

• Compliance with a legal obligation;

• Fulfillment of a mandate or function of the government as authorized by law;

• Performance of a service or transaction requested by the data subject;

• Protection of vital interests;

• Consent, when required by law; and

• Other lawful bases recognized under applicable privacy laws and regulations.

Where consent is required, the data subject may withdraw consent, subject to legal, regulatory, and operational limitations.

4. Cookies

The Cebu Province website may use cookies and similar technologies to provide, maintain, secure, and improve website functionality.

Cookies may be used to:

• Maintain website functionality;

• Remember user preferences;

• Improve website performance;

• Understand website usage and traffic;

• Support website security; and

• Generate aggregated statistics for website improvement.

Cookies generally do not directly identify an individual.

You may manage or disable cookies through your web browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of some features of the website.

5. Website Analytics

The Cebu Province website may use website analytics technologies to understand how visitors interact with the website and to improve its services.

Analytics information may include information such as:

• Pages viewed;

• Date and time of visits;

• Browser and device information;

• Approximate geographic information;

• Referral sources; and

• General website usage information.

Analytics information is used primarily for statistical, administrative, security, and website improvement purposes.

Where third-party analytics services are used, those services may process information in accordance with their respective privacy policies and applicable laws.

6. Sharing and Disclosure of Personal Information

The Provincial Government of Cebu does not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

Personal information may be shared or disclosed only when necessary and lawful, including with:

• Authorized offices and departments of the Provincial Government of Cebu;

• National government agencies and other government entities when authorized or required by law;

• Authorized service providers processing information on behalf of Cebu Province;

• Law enforcement or regulatory authorities when legally required;

• Courts or other government authorities pursuant to lawful orders or processes; and

• Other parties where disclosure is authorized or required by applicable law.

Where third-party service providers process personal information on behalf of Cebu Province, appropriate contractual, organizational, and technical safeguards shall be implemented.

7. Government Records and Freedom of Information

As a government institution, the Provincial Government of Cebu is required to maintain certain records and may be required to disclose information pursuant to applicable laws, regulations, transparency requirements, records-management policies, and lawful requests for information.

Where a request involves personal information, Cebu Province shall apply appropriate privacy safeguards and shall disclose only information that may lawfully be released.

Nothing in this Privacy Policy shall be interpreted as preventing the Provincial Government of Cebu from complying with lawful government transparency, records-management, audit, reporting, or disclosure requirements.

8. Data Retention

Personal information shall be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, maintain official government records, resolve disputes, and perform legitimate government functions.

Retention periods may differ depending on the type of information, government service, transaction, and applicable records-retention requirements.

When personal information is no longer required to be retained, it shall be securely disposed of, deleted, or anonymized in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and government records-management policies.

9. Data Security

The Provincial Government of Cebu implements reasonable and appropriate organizational, physical, and technical measures to protect personal information against unauthorized or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction, alteration, disclosure, or access.

Security measures may include:

• Access controls;

• User authentication;

• Administrative policies and procedures;

• Physical security measures;

• Technical safeguards;

• Regular monitoring and maintenance of information systems; and

• Appropriate data protection practices for authorized personnel and service providers.

Access to personal information is limited to authorized individuals who require the information to perform their official duties or legitimate functions.

While we take reasonable measures to protect information, no internet transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

10. Your Rights as a Data Subject

Under the Data Privacy Act of 2012, you may have the following rights, subject to applicable conditions and limitations:

Right to Be Informed

You have the right to know whether your personal information is being processed and to receive information regarding such processing.

Right to Access

You may request reasonable access to your personal information and relevant information regarding its processing.

Right to Object

You may object to certain forms of processing when permitted by law.

Right to Rectification

You may request the correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

Right to Erasure or Blocking

You may request the deletion, destruction, or blocking of personal information under circumstances provided by law.

Right to Data Portability

Where applicable, you may request a copy of your personal information in a structured and commonly used format.

Right to File a Complaint

You may raise a privacy concern or file a complaint regarding the processing of your personal information, including with the National Privacy Commission when appropriate.

These rights are subject to limitations and exceptions provided by the Data Privacy Act and other applicable laws.

11. Children’s Privacy

The Cebu Province website does not knowingly collect unnecessary personal information from children.

Certain government programs and services may require the processing of information relating to minors. In such cases, the processing shall be carried out in accordance with applicable laws and appropriate privacy safeguards.

Parents, guardians, or authorized representatives may contact the Provincial Government of Cebu regarding privacy concerns involving a minor.

12. Third-Party Websites and Links

The Cebu Province website may contain links to other government websites, social media platforms, applications, or third-party websites.

These websites may have their own privacy policies and practices.

The Provincial Government of Cebu is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, security, or policies of websites operated by third parties.

Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of third-party websites before providing personal information.

13. Personal Information Submitted Through Online Forms

When you submit personal information through an online form on the Cebu Province website, the information may be accessed by authorized personnel of the appropriate Provincial Government office for the purpose of processing your request, application, inquiry, complaint, or other transaction.

Users are encouraged to provide only information that is necessary for the particular service or transaction.

Please do not submit sensitive personal information through a website form unless the information is specifically requested and the form is intended to securely collect such information.

14. Data Breaches and Security Incidents

In the event of a personal data breach or security incident, the Provincial Government of Cebu shall take appropriate measures to:

• Contain and investigate the incident;

• Assess potential risks to affected individuals;

• Implement appropriate corrective and preventive measures;

• Document the incident; and

• Notify affected data subjects and/or the National Privacy Commission when notification is required under applicable law and regulations.

15. Accuracy of Personal Information

Users are responsible for ensuring that information submitted to the Provincial Government of Cebu through this website is accurate, complete, and up to date.

If you believe that personal information held by Cebu Province is inaccurate or incomplete, you may contact the appropriate office or the Data Protection Officer to request correction, subject to applicable verification and legal requirements.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

The Provincial Government of Cebu may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in:

• Applicable laws and regulations;

• National Privacy Commission issuances;

• Government policies;

• Website features;

• Online services; or

• Data-processing practices.

Any updated Privacy Policy will be published on this website.

The Last Updated date at the beginning of this Privacy Policy will be revised whenever material changes are made.

17. Contact Us

For questions, requests, concerns, or complaints regarding the processing of your personal information, you may contact the Data Protection Officer of the Provincial Government of Cebu.

Data Protection Officer

Provincial Government of Cebu
Cebu Provincial Capitol
Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines

Email: privacy@cebu.gov.ph

For privacy-related requests, you may be asked to provide sufficient information to verify your identity and properly process your request.

18. National Privacy Commission

If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, or if your privacy concern has not been adequately resolved, you may contact the:

National Privacy Commission
Republic of the Philippines

Website: https://privacy.gov.ph/

The National Privacy Commission is the country’s independent authority responsible for administering and implementing the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

19. Acknowledgment

By accessing and using the official Cebu Province website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

Where consent is required for a particular processing activity, the appropriate consent mechanism shall be provided before such processing takes place.

The Provincial Government of Cebu remains committed to protecting personal information while providing accessible, transparent, secure, and efficient government services to the people of Cebu.

Provincial Government of Cebu
Cebu Provincial Capitol
Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines