With the Senate set to adjourn on 07 February 2025, stakeholders are urging swift action on the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which remains stalled under the watch of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. Despite President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s urgent certification of Senate Bill No. 2699 on 27 January 2025, Cayetano, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, has yet to act on the measure. The bill was sponsored on 05 August 2024 but has since languished without progress.
The bill aims to streamline licensing processes and empower the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to regulate the industry more efficiently. The Philippines has long suffered from slow and expensive internet, largely due to outdated regulatory frameworks that discourage investment and hinder competition. By making it easier for new players to enter the market and expand infrastructure, the bill could bridge the digital divide and enhance connectivity, particularly in rural areas.
A broad coalition of organizations and business groups is backing the bill, recognizing its potential to boost digital transformation and economic growth. These include the Alliance of Tech Innovators for the Nation (ATIN), American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AMCHAM), Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAP), Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA), Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Better Internet PH (BIP), and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CANCHAM). Other supporters include leading business and ICT organizations such as the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Fintech Alliance.PH, and the Internet Society – Philippines Chapter (ISOC-PH).
These stakeholders have repeatedly urged Cayetano to act, emphasizing that the lack of progress contradicts the government’s digitalization goals. If the bill fails to pass before the Senate adjourns, millions of Filipinos will continue to suffer from inadequate internet access, while the country’s digital competitiveness falls further behind.
The Internet and Technology Association of the Philippines Inc. (ITAP), representing Micro, Small, and Medium (MSME) internet service providers, strongly calls for the urgent passage of this bill in the Senate. With only a few days left before the 19th Congress concludes, ITAP urges the honorable Senators to prioritize the needs of the people and take decisive action on the bill without further delay.
Cayetano’s failure to move the bill forward raises serious questions about his commitment to technological progress and economic development. With only a few session days left, he must decide: Will he push for progress, or will he let another opportunity for digital reform slip away?