Thirty-five organizations calling for the signing of Konektadong Pinoy into law believe that the Philippines needs this measure to meet its urgent digital needs and address growing digital divide, thus providing more opportunities for Filipinos.
In a joint statement, the groups which urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to approve the measure said the Philippines has been lagging behind on internet connectivity not only in Asia but in the whole world.
“According to the World Bank, the widening inequality in internet access limits opportunities for Filipinos, making them unequipped for future work, especially digital jobs. The growing digital divide makes e-commerce, e-government, online learning, and AI (artificial intelligence) virtually inaccessible to millions of Filipinos and disadvantaged sectors,” the groups said.
They said Konektadong Pinoy was created to “free Filipinos from the shackles of poor internet.”
The groups also described the proposed law as “pro-consumer” as this will reduce internet cost, which will have a transformational impact for consumers.
“Konektadong Pinoy will enable smaller providers to build infrastructure and offer internet services in their communities, including GIDAs (geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas),” they said.
The groups said the bill is also pro-competition, adding it is “a decisive step toward dismantling barriers” in the data transmission industry, according to the Philippine Competition Commission.
“Konektadong Pinoy will change the status quo by promoting competition and stimulating the market, and encouraging investment even in the rural barangays!,” they added.
The groups said the measure aims to accelerate the deployment of digital infrastructure by streamlining the licensing process, promoting infrastructure sharing, and allowing new and smaller players to deliver both wired and wireless connectivity without requiring a legislative franchise, an antiquated requirement not found anywhere else in the world.
“The strong backing from key stakeholders, including established and reputable organizations from major sectors–including government, business, ICT (information and communication technology) industry, consumers, and civil society groups –is proof that the bill is truly responsive to the urgent digital needs of the country,” they said.
Further, the groups said claims of Konektadong Pinoy resulting in security issues are “unfounded”.
They said the bill requires big and small, local and foreign network providers to comply with cybersecurity measures based on internationally recognized standards and as prescribed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
It mandates a cybersecurity performance audit and makes this a requirement for continuing operation and license renewal, the groups said.
“Konektadong Pinoy also disallows foreign government-controlled and state-owned enterprises from operating data transmission networks. Finally, the bill requires that national security be taken into consideration in interconnection and access to infrastructure,” they added.
The signatories to the joint statement include business and industry groups such as Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., (PHILEXPORT), Analytics & AI Association of the Philippines (AAP), Alliance of Tech Innovators for the Nation (ATIN), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Fintech Alliance.PH, Internet and Technology Association of the Philippines, Inc. (ITAP), Maharlika Internet Exchange (MaharlikaIX), and National Confederation of the Philippines (NATCCO).
Joint foreign chambers including American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AMCHAM), Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (CANCHAM), European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc. (JCCIPI), and the Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (KCCP) also signed the statement.
Public service organizations Chief Information Officers Forum, Inc. (CIOF), CIO Forum Foundation, Inc. (CIOFF), National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), Philippine Councilors League (PCL), and Provincial Health Officers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHOAP) also added their signatories.
Other signatories include tech organizations Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA), Cebu Python Users Group (PizzaPy), League of Goal Oriented Information and Communications Technology Officers, Inc. (LOGICT), MozillaPH, Philippine Institute of Cyber Security Professionals (PICSPRO), Unconnected.org, University of the Philippines Computer Science Guild, User Experience Philippines (UXPH), and Wiki Society of the Philippines (WikiSocPH).
Civil society and consumer groups Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Better Internet PH (BIP), Democracy.net.PH, Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA), Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA), Internet Society (ISOC), Internet Society – Philippines Chapter (ISOC-PH), and Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP) also signed the statement.
