The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) in collaboration with non-government organizations has launch a new program that ensures that no Juana is left behind in digital literacy.
More than 100 participants from various organizations learned about the new program called Juana Tech which was unveiled on March 19 at the National Cybercrime Hub in Bonifacio Global City with co-organizers from Scam Watch Pilipinas, Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP) and the Journalism Studies Association of the Philippines, Inc. (JSAP).
CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos said the launching of Juana Tech is one of the highlights of CICC’s celebration of the International Women’s Month this March 2025.
“We want women, or all Juana’s to be digitally equipped and capacitated to better protect themselves from cybercrimes,” he said.
WiSAP President Mel Migrino explained that Juana Tech digital literacy program is inclusive and caters to various sectors.
“We want to include in our education campaign and trainings business owners, academics, and local government units,” she said.
Migrino added that a wide range of topics will be included in the education campaigns and trainings including setting up a website, content production and also cyber safety.
JSAP Chair Lucia P. Tangi said that those in the academe will benefit from Juana Tech since many women educators do not have access to digital training.
‘It is important for educators to be digitally literate and equipped to improve the quality of teaching,” she explained.
Scam Watch Lead Convenor Jocel De Guzman reiterated that he will continue to include the four anti-scam attitudes namely, Magdamot, Magduda, Mang isnub and Magreport.
Ms. Liberty T. Bituin, an Investigator Agent I from the Women and Children Protection Section of CICC, presented a gender analysis on CICC cybercrime statistics. Ms. Christine Escalante, a Citizen Crime Watch Ambassador and Lead Volunteer Watcher of Scam Watch Pilipinas, spoke on fostering a “Kontra Scam” attitude for everyday women. Meanwhile, Ms. Rosie Shorter, CEO of Astria Philippines and a WiSAP volunteer, tackled the implications of cyberbullying. Lastly, Ms. Jay-Anne Encarnado, Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications and PR at Converge ICT, shared insights on bridging the digital divide and how Filipina professionals can lead in the digital era.
Also present during the launch were representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Authority on Child Care (NACC), Citizen Crime Watch, STI College-Bonifacio Global City and Coverge.
Digital literacy, according to UNESCO involves the confident and critical use of a full range of digital technologies for information, communication and basic problem-solving in all aspects of life . It is also included under the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 and among the its core indicators include devices and software operations, information and data literacy, content creation and safety.
ISSUED BY CICC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDER K. RAMOS
