Government launches ‘Konektadong Pinoy’ Act rules to revolutionize Internet access

The Philippines has taken a significant leap toward realizing faster, more reliable, and affordable internet for all Filipinos, especially in remote and underserved areas. This landmark progress follows the official signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Konektadong Pinoy (KP) Act (Republic Act No. 12234).

The ceremonial signing, held on Wednesday, November 5, at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) headquarters, marks the effective start of a major reform designed to drive national connectivity and economic growth.

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan emphasized the importance of the new law and its IRR.

“This important milestone strengthens our resolve to build a more connected, competitive, and inclusive Philippines,” Secretary Balisacan stated. “The passage of this law and the adoption of its IRR signal a decisive advance toward one of the key objectives of the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028: to harness digital innovation as a catalyst for productivity and equitable growth.”

The IRR is specifically designed to dismantle persistent barriers in the data transmission sector by:

Opening the Market: Promoting competition by making it easier for smaller and community-based providers to enter the market with simplified registration and streamlined processes.

Encouraging Sharing: Promoting crucial infrastructure sharing among providers.

Enhancing Oversight: Improving oversight over essential facilities and spectrum use, leading to a modernized approach to spectrum management.

These reforms are expected to lead directly to lower costs and expanded service coverage across the nation.

Beyond market mechanisms, the IRR establishes stringent performance standards and cybersecurity safeguards to ensure that internet services are not only accessible but also safe and dependable for all users.

Secretary Balisacan highlighted the ultimate goal of the reform, noting, “This measure is ultimately about more than infrastructure and regulation. It is about people. It is about ensuring that students can learn, that small enterprises can thrive, and that local governments can deliver better public services.”

He concluded, “Connectivity is not merely convenient. It is essential to socioeconomic participation and central to enabling innovation, education, and progress.”

DEPDev has reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with the DICT, the National Telecommunications Commission, the Philippine Competition Commission, and other partners to ensure the successful and efficient implementation of this critical reform.

The IRR of the Konektadong Pinoy Act will take effect 15 calendar days following its publication.