Privacy Policy

1. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to information processed when you browse the Municipality of Pagbilao website, use its online features, open embedded services, download documents, or voluntarily contact the Municipality through the contact details provided on the website.

2. Information That May Be Collected

Depending on how you use the website, the following information may be processed:

• Technical and access information: IP address, access date and time, browser or device information, approximate country, requested page or file, referring page, response code, and similar server-log information;
• Information you voluntarily provide: name, email address, telephone number, message, and other information included when you email, call, submit an inquiry, or communicate with a municipal office; and
• Transaction-related information: information required by a specific municipal service or form, which may be covered by a separate privacy notice at the point of collection.

3. Purposes of Processing

Information may be used to:

• Operate, secure, maintain, and improve the website;
• Measure website traffic, diagnose errors, and understand which public information is most useful;
• Respond to inquiries and route requests to the appropriate municipal office;
• Provide municipal services and carry out lawful government functions;
• Prevent fraud, misuse, security threats, and unauthorized access; and
• Comply with legal, auditing, records-management, and accountability requirements.

4. Privacy Principles and Legal Basis

The Municipality processes personal data only when supported by consent, law, a legal obligation, the performance of a public function, the delivery of a requested service, protection of lawful rights and interests, or another basis permitted by law. Processing will follow the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality.

5. Hosting, Logs, Cookies, and External Services

The website is hosted using Hostinger, which may generate technical access and security logs. The website also uses or links to external services such as Facebook, Google Maps, Google Fonts, tourism pages, and document viewers. When you load or interact with those services, their providers may receive technical information and may use cookies or similar technologies under their own privacy policies.

The Municipality does not control third-party cookies or data processing. You may adjust your browser privacy settings, block third-party cookies, or open external content only when you choose to do so; however, some features may not work as intended.

6. Disclosure and Data Sharing

Personal data may be shared only when necessary with authorized municipal personnel, government agencies, contracted service providers, hosting or security providers, or other recipients authorized by law. The Municipality does not sell personal data. Required safeguards will be applied when information is shared or processed on the Municipality's behalf.

7. Data Retention

Personal data and technical logs will be retained only for as long as necessary for the stated purpose, website security, records-management requirements, or compliance with applicable law and government retention policies. Information that is no longer required will be securely deleted, anonymized, or disposed of when appropriate.

8. Data Security

The Municipality applies reasonable organizational, physical, and technical measures intended to protect personal data from accidental loss, unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or misuse. No internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure, so visitors should avoid sending sensitive personal information through ordinary email unless instructed by the responsible office.

9. Your Rights as a Data Subject

Subject to the Data Privacy Act and applicable exceptions, you may have the right to be informed, object to processing, access your personal data, request correction, request erasure or blocking, obtain data portability where applicable, claim damages, and file a complaint with the National Privacy Commission.

A request should clearly identify the information or transaction involved. The Municipality may verify your identity before acting on a request to protect your information from unauthorized disclosure.

10. Children's Privacy

Children and minors should provide personal information through the website only with the knowledge and assistance of a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult, especially when requesting a government service.

11. External Links

This policy does not govern websites operated by third parties. Review the privacy notice of Facebook, Google, Hostinger, tourism websites, or any other external service before providing information to them.

12. Policy Updates

This Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect changes in law, technology, website features, or municipal procedures. The latest effective date will be displayed at the top of this page.

13. Privacy Inquiries and Requests

For website privacy questions or requests, contact pagwebteam@gmail.com or pagwebdev@gmail.com, call (042) 797-0937, or write to the Municipality of Pagbilao, Pagbilao Municipal Hall, Rizal Street, Barangay Sta. Catalina, Pagbilao, Quezon. Your inquiry will be routed to the appropriate municipal office.

You may learn more about privacy rights or file a complaint through the National Privacy Commission.