By Brian Campued
Fulfilling the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure faster and affordable internet access for Filipinos under a digitally connected “Bagong Pilipinas”, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced that the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the “Konektadong Pinoy Act” have been signed.
During a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, DICT Sec. Henry Aguda said the IRR was crafted through collaboration with concerned agencies and consultation with stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the new measure.
The Konektadong Pinoy Act, which is a priority measure under the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), lapsed into law last Aug. 24 and took effect on Sept. 14.
“Layunin nitong pabilisin ang koneksiyon, pababain ang halaga—ibig sabihin, dapat mas mura ang service po natin sa internet—at palawakin ang access sa internet lalo na sa mga lugar na unserved, underserved, at sa mga GIDAs o geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” Aguda said.
The newly signed IRR, according to the DICT chief, opens the data transmission industry to more qualified players, enhances competition in the telecommunications industry, and streamlines the processing of permits and registrations for new internet service providers.
Aguda said they are seeing six or seven new entrants to the Philippine market to level the playing field in the connectivity sector.
Filipinos may also expect to experience faster internet service at lower costs with the full implementation of the IRR and the fiberization of all households in the country.
“Alam na natin iyong mga 50% na household sa Pilipinas na may fiber optic connectivity, siyempre alam na rin natin kung ano iyong 50% na walang fiber optic connectivity,” Aguda said, noting that the government needs to complete 100,000 cell sites nationwide from the current 30,000.
“Iyan po ay pagsisikapan na nating gawing 100% para kahit saan pong bahay ay mayroon tayong fiber optic option,” he underscored.
He also announced that the DICT and telecom companies have completed the national mapping of fiber cables in the country with the assistance of the Australian government under the Partnerships for Infrastructure Program.
“Handa na tayong simulan ang fiberization ng bawat tahanan sa buong bansa—isang mahalagang hakbang tungo sa layunin ng ating Pangulo na mabigyan ang bawat Pilipino ng mabilis, matatag, at maaasahang koneksiyon,” he said.
A key feature of the IRR is the “Dig Once Policy”, which mandates the simultaneous installation of fiber optic cables during public infrastructure projects to save both time and money in expenses.
The signing of the IRR was led by Aguda, together with Department of Economy, Planning and Development Sec. Arsenio Balisacan; Department of Public Works and Highways Sec. Vince Dizon; Department of the Interior and Local Government Sec. Jonvic Remulla; Department of Transportation acting Sec. Giovanni Lopez; National Telecommunications Commission Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez; and Philippine Competition Commission Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo.
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