Malacañang and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) guaranteed that the government is improving measures to solve the long-standing internet problem of the country.
ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica said they are implementing a Paspas (Fast) Permit System which is composed of automatic approval for applications with complete requirements and streamlining to expedite the building of telecommunication towers.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte will continue to address widespread internet connectivity problems to avoid being left behind by other Asian nations.
Citing Speedtest Global Index rankings for mobile broadband internet speed, Roque disclosed that the Philippines ranked thirty-third or improved from 7.44 Mbps in July 2016 to 14.46 Mbps in February 2019.
“Noong nagalit ang presidente, ayon sa Speedtest Global Index October 2020 pagdating sa mobile broadband speed, pang-34 ang Pilipinas… Halos walang ipinagbago (When the president criticized the internet problems, the country ranked thirty-fourth based on Speedtest Global Index October 2020. There is almost no improvement),” he pointed out.
“Nauna lang tayo sa Indonesia at Timor-Leste (We only ranked higher than Indonesia and Timor-Leste). That’s not something that we should be proud of,” he added.
Through the initiative of President Duterte and the public, Belgica said “we are seeing” the speedy issuance of permits. “And by next year, we hope na mas marami pong mga towers pa ang maitatayo (we hope that more towers will be built).” – Report from Mela Lesmoras
