The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) asked the Senate to swiftly pass the “Konektadong Pinoy” Bill, formerly known as the Open Access in Data Transmission Act.
“Prohibitive costs and lack of internet infrastructure contribute to the prevailing digital divide. The Philippines also lags behind its middle-income peers in ASEAN in internet access, speed, and affordability for mobile and fixed services. We call for swift passage of the Konektadong Pinoy [Open Access] bill to bridge these critical gaps in internet infrastructure and help ensure that families have the internet they need for work, school, and more,” the group said in a letter to the Senate.
Noting how the lack of access hinders Filipinos’ ability to work, learn and participate in the digital economy, the JFC highlighted the critical need to address the digital divide in the Philippines.
About 33 percent of households have fixed internet, access according to a recent World Bank study.
Konektadong Pinoy aims to bridge the gap by lowering barriers for new entrants in the data transmission sector, fostering competition.
The bill is also seen to encourage investments in data infrastructure, especially in underserved areas and will, ultimately, reduce internet service costs for Filipino families and businesses.
The JFC said the legislation is aligned with both the LEDAC Common Legislative Agenda and Senate priorities.
The group advocated for key reforms like removing franchise requirements and promoting infrastructure sharing.
The JFC is a coalition of the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese, Korean chambers and the Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc. (PAMURI), representing over 3,000 members engaged in $100 billion worth of bilateral trade and over $30 billion worth of investments in the Philippines.
The JFC supports and promotes open international trade, increased foreign investment and improved conditions for business to benefit both the Philippines and the countries they represent.