Globe Telecom Inc. is supporting the government’s ongoing review of the National Building Code, emphasizing the opportunity to modernize infrastructure standards and integrate digital connectivity into building and road design.
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered a comprehensive review of the nearly five-decade-old National Building Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 1096) to better reflect current construction practices, urban development and emerging needs, including modern safety standards and climate risks. The initiative opens the door to aligning building standards with the realities of a digital-first society, where reliable internet access plays a central role in daily life.
Special Order No. 155, issued April 7, reconstituted the National Building Code Review Committee to address long-standing gaps in engineering standards. The committee is tasked with reviewing updated regulations with professional inputs. The 1977 code was last revised in 2005.
Globe said it is hopeful the review will take into account the growing importance of connectivity, which has increasingly been recognized globally as a “fifth utility” alongside electricity, water and transport. As more services move online—from education and healthcare to commerce and government transactions—connectivity has become foundational to participation in the modern economy.
“Connectivity today is a fundamental human right. Enabling connectivity with the right infrastructure powers how people learn, work and access essential services,” Globe president and chief executive Carl Cruz said.
“We support the government’s efforts to update the National Building Code and are optimistic that connectivity will be considered as a standard utility in how buildings are designed and constructed,” Cruz said. “This will help the telco industry maximize investments for expansion and increasing capacity instead of paying lease or re-doing building structures just to incorporate in-building solutions.”
Globe noted that incorporating connectivity into building standards would help ensure that residential, commercial and public developments are equipped to support reliable and high-quality internet access. This includes enabling fiber-ready infrastructure, in-building solutions and more efficient deployment of telecommunications facilities.
The company pointed out that existing building frameworks were developed at a time when digital connectivity was not yet integral to everyday life, which can present challenges in delivering consistent service, particularly in dense or newly developed areas.
“Modernizing the code is an important step toward future-ready infrastructure,” Joel Agustin, senior vice president for service planning and engineering at Globe, said.
“Integrating connectivity considerations into building design will help accelerate network rollout, improve service quality and support the country’s broader digital ambitions,” Agustin added.
Globe continues to work with government and industry stakeholders to help advance policies that enable inclusive connectivity and long-term infrastructure development in support of the country’s digital transformation.
