Exploring Local Government Employees' Awareness of Data Privacy Act: Insights and Recommendations in the Lenses of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

The Data Privacy Act (DPA) is a critical legislation in the Philippines aimed at safeguarding personal data privacy and security. Given the significant amount of sensitive information handled by local government agencies, it is essential to evaluate the level of awareness among their employees regarding the DPA. This study presents an exploratory investigation into the awareness of local government unit employees about the DPA, offering valuable insights and recommendations to enhance compliance. Employing a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and interviews, data were collected from employees in both city and municipal local government units. The findings indicate a general low level of DPA awareness among employees, with gaps in understanding specific provisions such as consent, data subject rights, and accountability. This research article provides significant insights into the factors influencing government employees' awareness and compliance with the DPA. It identifies barriers and challenges faced by employees in adhering to the DPA and offers recommendations to enhance awareness and compliance. These insights can inform policy and practice recommendations to promote effective implementation of the DPA within local government units in the Philippines. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) suggests that local government employees' awareness and compliance with the Data Privacy Act (DPA) can be enhanced by addressing attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.