The seven members of the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) expressed hope the Open Access in Data Transmission bill will be certified as urgent by President Duterte and will be approved by Congress during its third regular session,
In a statement, JFC said the legislation aims to bridge critical gaps in broadband infrastructure by attracting more firms to invest in the data transmission and broadband sector.
The House of Representatives has approved House Bill 8910 on second reading but the Senate counterpart bill remains pending in the Science and Technology Committee.
The JFC looks forward to any mention of the Open Access bill in the State of the Nation Address of the President on Monday to emphasize its importance to economic recovery and more competition and investment in broadband, especially in underserved areas throughout the Philippines.
“Once passed into law, the Open Access bill will provide a competitive policy and regulatory framework that lowers the barriers and cost to enter the data transmission market. This will significantly improve data transmission services (faster internet speed and lower internet costs) throughout the country,” the JFC said.
