The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, has joined calls for the immediate enactment of the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, also known as the “Konektadong Pinoy” bill.
In a statement, the chamber expressed its full and unequivocal support for the measure, describing it as landmark legislation that will reshape the country’s digital infrastructure by enabling faster, more reliable, and more affordable internet access for all Filipinos.”
We commend the Konektadong Pinoy Bill for streamlining processes and eliminating outdated barriers that have long hindered the entry of new players into the internet service market,” said PCCI President Enunina Mangio.
Mangio said that by opening the sector to more qualified providers and encouraging healthy competition, the law would spur investments in digital infrastructure and expand access to underserved and remote areas.
The PCCI emphasized that greater participation from information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure players will give Filipino consumers more choices and better service, addressing long-standing issues of slow and costly internet.
The chamber also underscored the need for a strong regulatory framework to support the sector’s liberalization.
While supporting the removal of the legislative franchise requirement for data transmission providers, the PCCI stressed that only capable and responsible entities should be allowed to operate.
“Open access must not come at the cost of our national security or the integrity of our critical digital infrastructure,” it said.
The chamber also called for a transparent and forward-looking implementation of the law, urging that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) be crafted with care and that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) be fully empowered to enforce oversight and establish clear standards for service providers.