Operators flag concerns as Konektadong Pinoy bill nears approval

The Konektadong Pinoy bill, a priority measure of the Marcos administration, is expected to be approved within the first half of the year, with hopes for its passage by June, as Congress reconvenes.

Maria Victoria Castro, head of the National ICT Policy, Planning and Standards Bureau at the Department of Information and Communications Technology, said in an interview on Monday that the bill has already passed the third reading in the House of Representatives and will soon be part of the bicameral agenda.

“It’s a priority bill of the president and it’s part of the legislative agenda. The law has been passed on third reading already, so it will be added to the bicameral agenda. So hopefully by June, when Congress opens again it will be passed,” Castro said.

The Konektadong Pinoy bill aims to expand internet access nationwide by easing the entry of new players into the data transmission industry.

Criticisms

However, the bill has faced criticism from various sectors, including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), which raised concerns about certain provisions that could compromise national security and harm Filipino consumers.

“Unfortunately, despite its good intentions, the Konektadong Pinoy bill disregards Constitutional provisions, undermines fair competition, and could stifle investment in the telecommunications sector. We should work towards a version that will protect our critical information infrastructure and benefit the Filipinos,” said PCTO in a separate statement yesterday.

A major concern raised by PCTO is that the bill lets international gateway facilities, cable landing stations, and satellite service providers operate without a legislative franchise.

It pointed out that the lack of safeguards could allow foreign-controlled or state-sponsored companies to build and operate critical infrastructure like international gateways and cable landing stations.