SENATE President Francis Escudero yesterday hailed the enactment of the Kontektadong Pinoy bill, which he described as a “giant step” toward bridging the digital divide in the country due to poor connectivity, high costs, and the absence of infrastructure, especially in far-flung and un-derserved areas.
Escudero said the enactment of the law will also mean that the cost of internet connectivity will significantly go down since there will be greater competition and more choices for consumers under the measure, one of the priority bills of the Marcos administration.
“The Philippines has one of the highest internet connectivity costs in the world, considering the speeds it offers to consumers. But more than bringing down the rates, the Konektadong Pinoy Act is about providing greater access to information and markets to Filipinos who live far from the cities and in remote areas,” Escudero said.
He said the education sector will benefit most from the law, otherwise known as the Open Ac-cess in Data Transmission Act, where access to faster and more affordable internet is critical.
Escudero said it was lamentable that internet connectivity in the country remains in a sorry state due to its high cost and slow connectivity.
“It is about time that we empower Filipinos through greater access to information and connec-tivity,” he added.
He said the measure, which is supported by almost all sectors, is envisioned to help fulfill the digitalization goal of the administration.
Under the law, it is easier for small players to enter the market space without having to secure legislative franchises and yet they will be able to tap into the existing infrastructures through the infrastructure sharing of the measure.
“We will see a faster rollout of long-overdue internet connectivity services in every town and barrio in the Philippines, and hopefully our industry giants will support the implementation of the law and work with the government as partners of growth and digital inclusivity for all Filipi-nos,” he said.
Malacanang on Sunday said the Konektadong Pinoy bill lapsed into law after no action was tak-en by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 30 days after it was transmitted to the Palace.
