PBBM eyes more investors in ICT, better connectivity

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. vowed to drive the Philippines to a new era in information and communications technology (ICT), focusing on helping the industry grow to drive national development even further.

During his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the Philippines must adopt new technologies as quickly as possible to keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is characterized by the explosion of tech developments and their incorporation into the everyday lives and activities of consumers, companies, and governments.

He said the Philippines cannot afford to “stand idly by” while the whole world is going through digital transformation.

Marcos plans to build a digital Philippines through “innovations that improve governance,” making government transactions “seamless” and “responsive to the needs of the public.”

In a nutshell, he described a digital government as an “agile bureaucracy.”

However, digital transformation also gives birth to another problem: a widening digital divide.

Still, the key to addressing this issue is by ensuring that all Filipinos have access to connectivity, per Marcos.

“Universal connectivity will be a vital component to ensure that no citizen will be left behind,” he said.

Marcos said he has instructed the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to “deploy digital connectivity across our various islands,” through the previous administration’s National Broadband Program and the Common Tower Program.

More foreign ICT players?

HE also seemed to have rebranded the Free Wifi Program, which is enshrined under Republic Act No. 10929, to “Broadband ng Masa” Project.

Marcos was also optimistic that with the amendments to foreign ownership laws, more ICT investors will flock to the Philippines and make bets.

“As our Public Service Act has opened the doors and removed the restrictions on foreign investment, we foresee an increase in direct investment of overseas players. This will translate into better quality, availability, and affordability of telecommunications services all over the country,” he said.

When sought for comments about his priorities in the ICT sector, Better Internet PH lead information and communications technology policy analyst Mary Grace Mirandilla-santos said Marcos seems to be on the right track when it comes to digital transformation efforts.

“A huge part of the first SONA of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was focused on digitalization—use new technologies for a more efficient and seamless government, automation of processes, better education, and livelihood. An accessible, reliable, affordable, and secure Internet should be the foundation of the President’s digital transformation vision,” she said.

She added that Marcos’s statement on ensuring the availability of universal connectivity “provides a clear directive for the government when it comes to connectivity.”

“Better Internet PH supports the effective implementation of the National Broadband Plan, especially its policy components that recommend the updating of analog-era laws and regulation,” Santos said.

She noted, however, that the executive and legislative branches have to also see policies and regulations as essential to ensure universal connectivity. These include pieces of legislation such as Open Access in Internet Services, Digital Transformation Act, E-government Act, and Internet Transactions Act.

“Parallel to the government’s efforts, we urge the President and Congress to pass the Open Access in Internet Services Act to encourage investment in broadband networks, especially outside Metro Manila. Open Access will help facilitate the Broadband ng Masa project,” she said.

She added that the Digital Transformation Act, E-government Act, and Internet Transactions Act are all important legislation, but they need to be founded on a secure Internet.

“Hence, Secure Connections call on the President to sign an executive order to protect the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure, such as banking and finance, power, water, transportation, and telecommunications,” Santos, who is also part of ICT security advocacy group Secure Connections, said.

For his part, Winthrop Yu, the chairperson of the Internet Society of the Philippines, said the next six years will determine whether or not Marcos is true to his word.

“He has good plans, but the details and eventually the actual implementation will be key. He made good emphasis on national development via investing in ICT infrastructure as opposed to just spending or renting,” he said.