We often hear about the slow internet service nationwide and the high cost of acquiring it.
This inequity has persisted for years and worsened the digital divide pervading in the Philippines, especially in the provinces.
The Philippines as a result has ranked among the most expensive broadband markets in Southeast Asia, yet our average fixed internet speed lags behind many of our neighbors.
The poor state of our interconnectivity is holding back real progress and something must be done in the telecommunications sector to correct the imbalance.
The Konektadong Pinoy Act, for all intents and purposes, is the relevant measure that addresses something we all feel—the need for faster, more reliable and more affordable internet.
The World Bank has noted that the current digital gap is affecting productivity, innovation and even basic public service delivery. For regions like Mindanao, where distance between communities is greater and where many rural areas remain underserved, the slow and costly internet is not just inconvenient. It is a barrier to development.
The Konektadong Pinoy Act offers a clear way forward. By removing the outdated requirement for a congressional franchise to operate data transmission infrastructure, it allows qualified providers to register directly with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Critics decry the impending law. For the current telecommunications companies, the Konektadong Pinoy Act introduces a two-tier regulatory framework that favors new players by exempting them from the guardrails that have long governed the operations of incumbent telcos.
But the the Konektadong Pinoy Act is all about reforms in the sector. It streamlines the process, opens the door to more competition and accelerates the rollout of infrastructure.
For provinces like Agusan del Sur or Sultan Kudarat, where new players can bring service without years of waiting, the potential impact is immense.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) believes the reform will expand coverage and lower costs within a few years.
The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) contends that lifting the franchise hurdle will attract more investments in underserved areas.
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), meanwhile, stressed that institutionalizing competition would translate into lower prices, better quality and more choices for consumers.
The bill also builds on safeguards. It requires cybersecurity certification and transparent spectrum management, and bars foreign state-controlled entities from strategic roles.
It enshrines open access, prohibits anti-competitive practices and demands transparent pricing.
The NTC, DICT and PCC will share the oversight of the law to keep the balance between market openness and consumer protection.
Equally important, performance standards will be written into regulation. The NTC will publish benchmarks for speed, latency, packet loss and other measures, aligning them with international best practices.
The DICT’s Cybersecurity Bureau will conduct audits, ensuring that every provider maintains strong defenses against online threats. This means a school in Surigao or a health center in Zamboanga will have the right to expect a stable and secure connection, not just access for its own sake.
I believe this legislation will have ripple effects well beyond faster downloads. E-governance platforms will reach more citizens. Farmers will have better access to market prices and weather data.
Entrepreneurs in General Santos or Cagayan de Oro can sell to customers nationwide without battling slow uploads. Students in far-flung barangays will be able to participate in online learning without being cut off mid-lesson.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. now faces a defining choice. The detractors’ calls are getting louder, but the popularity of this measure is undeniable. Vetoing it risks alienating a broad coalition of supporters and may sway public opinion sharply against him.
Signing it will not only deliver long-term economic benefits but also demonstrate a willingness to side with the public on a reform that affects daily life.
For Mindanao, the benefits are particularly clear. This is a region where connectivity can unlock economic corridors, enhance governance and open opportunities for communities long cut off from the digital economy.
Not signing the bill would be a missed opportunity of historic proportions. The Konektadong Pinoy Act will give us the framework to bridge the digital divide, create a level playing field and strengthen our ability to compete in a digital global economy.
The sooner we act, the sooner communities from Luzon to Mindanao can take part fully in the opportunities a connected future brings. It is the hallmark of an inclusive economy.
E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com
