Konektadong Pinoy bill: Universal or selective advantage

Officially known as Senate Bill 2699, the Konektadong Pinoy Bill is a long overdue response to a digital reality that has outpaced our legal framework in the telecoms industry based on Republic Act 7925 and Executive Orders 109 and 59.

Certified as urgent by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the bill has passed on third and final reading in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and is now under deliberation in the Bicameral Conference Committee.

The bill recognizes the critical need for digital inclusivity in nation building and the urgency of closing the digital divide in the Philippines.

By encouraging the development of data transmission infrastructure and removing barriers to competition, the Konektadong Pinoy Bill aims to transform the country’s digital landscape, opening doors to greater economic growth and new opportunities.

A World Bank study reveals that only 33 percent of Filipino households have access to fixed broadband internet, a stark reminder of the persistent gap in connectivity across the nation.

Improving access is not just about faster internet, it is about empowerment with the tools needed to succeed in a digital world.

The Konektadong Pinoy Bill takes a crucial step by removing the need for a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for participants in the data transmission industry. This opens the market to small providers, local startups, and community-based networks, fostering competition that benefits all Filipinos.

The bill also promotes the shared infrastructure model, where telcos and internet service providers can have shared infrastructure. This reduces redundancy, minimizes disruptions and lowers the cost of delivering internet across the country.

While competition is necessary, it must however be fair. The law must avoid favoritism toward entrenched interests or large players with the loudest lobby. The true goal is universal access, not selective advantage.

The digital divide in the Philippines is a barrier to education, jobs, services and national progress between urban centers and rural areas.

Universal and stable internet access can bridge this divide. For students in rural areas, it means access to world-class educational resources, enabling them to join global classrooms and earn credentials online, all without leaving home.

The best teachers can be equipped with better resources, helping modernize public education and enabling them to reach remote areas.

For e-commerce, affordable internet transforms small vendors into nationwide entrepreneurs. Whether it’s farmers in Bukidnon or artisans in Mindoro, they can now reach a broader market, locally and globally. This could reinvigorate local economies, create jobs and boost entrepreneurship.

In digital payments, the bill will enable informal businesses to join the formal economy, allowing even sari-sari stores to accept cashless transactions, manage sales digitally, and access financial services.

The Philippines doesn’t just need faster internet, it needs a future-ready digital ecosystem that is inclusive, competitive, and resilient. The Konektadong Pinoy Bill is a game changer, a necessary correction that can bridge the digital divide, create more opportunities, and accelerate growth. With collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for the future, the Philippines can leapfrog into a new era of progress and prosperity for all.

However, the removal of the franchise requirement may be a violation of the constitutional requirement for public utilities. While the 60-40 arrangement has worked well in the past decades, the franchise requirement of Congress should be upheld, particularly for putting up the infrastructure, but not necessarily on the last mile.

Therefore, there is a need to rebalance the outlook between universal access and selective advantage over the entry of a favored player.