THIS week, we saw efforts in the Senate to boost the country’s digital competitiveness with the ‘‘Konektadong Pinoy Act’’ – aimed at closing the gap with neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
A 2024 World Bank report suggested the Philippines has the most expensive internet in Southeast Asia, but continues to lag behind in speed and reliability compared to countries like Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam.
Beyond doubt there are challenges the Philippines is facing in keeping pace with its neighbors particularly in the digital stage.
The chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Alan Peter Cayetano said this digital gap has hampered productivity across different sectors, affecting not only businesses but all Filipinos, especially students and teachers, who rely on the internet for education, work, and daily activities.
He believes the country’s push for e-governance, crucial for streamlining government services and reducing corruption, will not be effective if internet connectivity remains poor and expensive.
Cayetano is convinced the bill aims to update outdated telecommunications rules that have made it difficult to improve internet connectivity in this archipelagic nation of 115 million and will focus on making the internet more affordable, faster, and easier to access.
By removing the need for a legislative franchise, he said in his sponsorship speech, the bill simplifies the approval process for telecom companies, making it easier for new players to enter the market and drive competition.
This is where the red flags exhale bold messages which demand punctilious analysis.
Analysts are on track in saying removing the need for legislative franchise and diminishing the regulatory powers of the National Telecommunications Commission can lead to the unrestricted exploitation of the spectrum.
We agree with their observation the government must manage these resources in a manner that arranges public welfare over private agenda.
Senate Bill 2699 now being discussed unhooks the requirements for spectrum allocation.
The bill’s sponsors argue that reducing regulatory barriers will foster competition and spur economic growth, but they have apparently forgotten the spectrum is a natural asset that requires inflexible management to stop degradation and ensure quality service for consumers.
Analysts have also noted the removal of the legislative franchise requirement and the reduction of the National Telecommunications Commission’s regulatory powers could allow unscrupulous players to gain access to our telecommunications networks.
They have the point when they say “Without rigorous vetting, the country risks opening its doors to entities that may not have the best interests of the nation at heart.”
