Debate on ‘Konektadong Pinoy’ bill heats up as legislation nears
Will further liberalization bring more telecom infrastructure investments to the countryside? Stakeholders debate provisions of the “Konektadong Pinoy” bill. —Photo from Globe website
MANILA, Philippines — The National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) is ready to roll out telecommunication infrastructure across the country, especially in the provinces, and support the forthcoming “Konektadong Pinoy” legislation.
The industry group, in a statement on Monday, said the proposed law could bring more investments to the country’s ICT infrastructure, linking Filipinos in the countryside to better connectivity that enables e-government, e-commerce, and online learning.
The bill—which was approved by the Senate on the third reading—encourages more players to provide internet services, it added.
“NICP lauds President Marcos Jr. for certifying ‘Konektadong Pinoy’ as urgent. We share his commitment to Philippine digitalization and are ready to invest in countryside ICT infrastructure as soon as this landmark measure is enacted,” NICP president Jessraf Palmares said.
The organization, composed of 124 ICT Councils, is “optimistic” about the enactment of the bill that is also seen to spur the economy through digitalization.
Last month, FinTech Alliance PH, Better Internet PH, and other business organizations also expressed support for the enactment of said bill.
READ: FinTech groups back ‘Konektadong Pinoy’ bill
The fintech group said this would allow “small players to further invest in infrastructure, especially in underserved areas where various hurdles hinder our efforts.”
In addition, FinTech Alliance said the proposed act would streamline regulations by simplifying the process for internet networks and service providers.
Call for more changes
But not all players are happy with the bill in its current form.
As the bill moves forward, the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), whose members include industry leaders PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc., raised the need for some more amendments. They are worried that the current framework could hinder fair competition and even put national security at risk.
For one, PCTO said that the exemption of data transmission providers from “securing a congressional franchise and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity creates an unequal regulatory environment, violating the principle of fair competition.”
The exemption could also eliminate “crucial safeguards that protect public interest by ensuring that telecommunications providers meet specific standards and obligations to provide quality and reliable services,” PCTO flagged.
The group also warned against the “explosion of cybersecurity incidents that threaten national security,” given the “relaxation of regulatory scrutiny” on the part of data transmission providers.
