Over a month after it was enacted into law.
Last Wednesday, October 5, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other government agencies signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 12234 or the “Konektadong Pinoy Act.”
The said measure, which was signed into law last August 24 and took effect on September 14, promises to bring internet access to ksolated, underserved and underprivileged areas in the country.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said that Konektadong Pinoy Act is a priority measure under the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) and one of the main directives of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
“Layunin nitong pabilisin ang koneksyon, pababain ang halaga – ibig sabihin, dapat mas mura ang service po natin sa internet – at palawakin ang access sa internet lalo na sa mga lugar na unserved, underserved at sa mga GIDAs o geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” said Aguda.
Under the IRR, the process of entry for new internet service providers to the Philippine market will be made easier.
In effect, this will also enhance competition in the telecommunications industry, and speed up the processing of permits and registrations resulting in much affordable internet connectivity.
Additionally, the rules and regulations also includes the implementation of the “Dig Once Policy,” or the simultaneous laying out of fiber cables in government projects to save time and money.
Meanwhile, through the assistance of the Australian Government under the Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) program, the DICT has completed the national mapping of fiber cables in the entire country.
The mapping project was aimed at speeding up fiberization of all households and lowering the connectivity service price with the help of the private sector, noted the ICT chief.
“Alam na natin iyong mga 50 percent na household sa Pilipinas na may fiber optic connectivity. Siyempre alam na rin natin kung ano iyong 50 percent na walang fiber optic connectivity. Iyan po ay pagsisikapan na nating gawing 100 percent para kahit saan pong bahay ay mayroon tayong fiber optic option,” said Aguda.
With the signing of the IRR, the DICT also saod that it is ready to start the fiberization of every home in the country, in line with its goal of completing the program by the end of Marcos, Jr.’s term in 2028.