Groups Urge Marcos: Sign Konektadong Pinoy into law as greatest legacy for Filipinos

Various organizations have urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign the proposed Konektadong Pinoy or the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, insisting that the landmark legislation will democratize internet access in the country.

In a joint statement, the 35 groups commended Marcos, Jr. for certifying the proposed measure as urgent, saying its enactment into law will be his greatest legacy for the Filipino people and stakeholders “who have long been suffering from inaccessible, unreliable, and costly internet services.”

“Konektadong Pinoy was created to free Filipinos from the shackles of poor internet. The Philippines has been lagging behind on internet connectivity not only in Asia but in the whole world,” they said.

Citing the latest data, the groups revealed that 19,000 barangays, or 45.5% of all barangays nationwide, still lack internet access, limiting opportunities for Filipinos and making them unequipped for future work, especially digital jobs. 

“The growing digital divide makes e-commerce, e-government, online learning, and AI virtually inaccessible to millions of Filipinos and disadvantaged sectors,” they emphasized.

The groups added that Konektadong Pinoy will bring down internet costs in the country and enable smaller providers to build infrastructure and offer internet services in their communities.

Once enacted into law, Konektadong Pinoy will also boost competition and stimulate the market, and encourage investment even in the rural areas of the country.

“Konektadong Pinoy aims to accelerate the deployment of digital infrastructure by streamlining the licensing process, promoting infrastructure sharing, and allowing new and smaller players to deliver both wired and wireless connectivity without requiring a legislative franchise, an antiquated requirement not found anywhere else in the world,” they added.

They also downplayed security and other concerns by some sectors, saying the measure has undergone rigorous scrutiny, almost 10 years of deliberations, and various improvements through three Congresses. 

“The strong backing from key stakeholders, including established and reputable organizations from major sectors—including government, business, ICT industry, consumers, and civil society groups–is proof that the bill is truly responsive to the urgent digital needs of the country,” they insisted.

The Konektadong Pinoy bill also enjoys wide support from key national government agencies, including the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev); the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT); the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC); the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP); and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Local government leaders also have recognized the importance of Konektadong Pinoy in narrowing the digital divide, bridging the technological gap, bolstering financial inclusion, enhancing literacy, and promoting economic growth.

“We, the 35 signatories to this statement of support, stand ready to contribute to the successful implementation of this historic piece of legislation,” they promised.

The 35 signatories to the joint statement are:

Business and Industry Groups – Analytics & AI Association of the Philippines (AAP), Alliance of Tech Innovators for the Nation (ATIN), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Fintech Alliance.PH, Internet and Technology Association of the Philippines, Inc. (ITAP), Maharlika Internet Exchange (MaharlikaIX), National Confederation of the Philippines (NATCCO), and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT).

Joint Foreign Chambers – American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AMCHAM), Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (CANCHAM), European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc. (JCCIPI), and Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (KCCP). > Fitzgerald Cecilio: Public Service Organizations – Chief Information Officers Forum, Inc. (CIOF), CIO Forum Foundation, Inc. (CIOFF), National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), Philippine Councilors League (PCL), and Provincial Health Officers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHOAP).

Tech Organizations – Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA), Cebu Python Users Group (PizzaPy), League of Goal Oriented Information and Communications Technology Officers, Inc. (LOGICT), MozillaPH, Philippine Institute of Cyber Security Professionals (PICSPRO), Unconnected.org, University of the Philippines Computer Science Guild, User Experience Philippines (UXPH), and Wiki Society of the Philippines (WikiSocPH).

Civil Society and Consumer Groups – Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Better Internet PH (BIP), Democracy.net.PH, Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA), Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA), Internet Society (ISOC), Internet Society – Philippines Chapter (ISOC-PH), and Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP)

The Senate and the House of Representatives have ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the Konektadong Pinoy Act, and the measure is now awaiting the President’s approval.

Sen. Imee Marcos, principal author of Konektadong Pinoy, underscored the measure’s importance, saying it will end the outdated Congressional franchise requirement for data transmission providers.

The lawmaker said the move seeks to break the decades-long duopoly and open the door to more affordable, faster, and reliable internet—especially for far-flung and underserved communities.

“This is the moment for us to side with the masses and not the monopolies,” Senator Marcos urged.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco echoed the sentiment, saying the bill would boost broadband access, level the playing field for businesses, and drive economic growth.

“Our country will not have economic development if we have slow internet. This law will not only make connectivity faster, but it will also help level the playing field for businesses across the country,” Tiangco said.

DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda welcomed the measure, saying it would help create a more inclusive and affordable digital ecosystem while accelerating the rollout of next-generation technologies like 5G.

He believes that President Marcos will sign it into law, noting that Konektadong Pinoy is among the priority legislation of the present administration as agreed upon during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC)  meeting.

Arsenio Balisacan, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary, described the measure as a “game changer” as it introduces comprehensive reforms designed to open the market, enhance competition, reduce network rollout costs, and increase the quality and availability of digital services. 

“The bill removes the requirement for a legislative franchise to build and operate data transmission infrastructure. Instead, a streamlined registration or authorization process with the National Telecommunications Commission will make it easier for new players to enter the market, especially in underserved areas,” he said.