The think tank Stratbase Institute has urge legislators to adopt a no-lease policy in pending legislation requiring real estate developers to allocate spaces for information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in all existing and new development projects.
“We support the recent passage of the Housing Development Digital Connectivity Act by the House of Representatives as digital connectivity is now an indispensable utility that should be accessible to all and integral to the design of every residential and commercial development project,” Stratbase president Victor Andres Manhit said in a released statement.
House Bill 9870, or the Housing Development Digital Connectivity Act, aims to ensure internet access in city hubs and densely populated areas.
The measure mandates all residential developments, subdivisions, communities, and other property owners to designate a portion of their allocated open space for the installation of information and communication technology infrastructure and related equipment.
The bill seeks to amend Presidential Decree No. 957, requiring subdivision developers to provide open spaces for parks, playgrounds, and recreational use and to accommodate the installation of digital infrastructure for the benefit of its residents.
Manhit pointed out however, that mandating compensation to the local government, homeowners’ association, lot owners and property developers who reserve open spaces for ICT installations should have “rational parameters that balances the rights of property owners and not costly prohibitive for providers to install last mile networks.”
“Digital connectivity services should be supported as a critical infrastructure and have the same stature as water and electricity utilities wherein adequate access for the installation of facilities and equipment is provided space in public and private buildings with no-lease,” Manhit said.
He added that facilities for fast broadband services actually enhances the value of a ready feature provided by property owners just like a standard utility rather than an opportunity for windfall profit.
“All homes, business enterprises, government offices and public spaces should have access to fiber optic connections for fast and stable internet connectivity and mobile phone signals.”
Manhit emphasized how digital connectivity directly boosts the economy because the people are empowered to be more productive using all the digital services they need.
“Last mile connectivity is an infrastructure challenge that government can address by prioritizing policy reforms that would encourage digital connectivity providers to come into home development projects so that residents can choose and subscribe to their preferred broadband service available,” Manhit said.