Consumer group warns vs. vulnerability of Konektadong Pinoy bill

A consumer group has raised concern over Senate Bill No. 2699 or the Konektadong Pinoy Bill as some of its provisions are allegedly open to abuse. 

“Limiting or removing the oversight functions of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) would close the door for consumers to bring up their grievances against the inefficiency of foreign service providers,” Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) said in a statement.

Author of the bill Senator Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said the Konektadong Pinoy Bill aims to improve access to fast and affordable connectivity nationwide.

Under the proposed measure, “data transmission industry participants shall not be required to secure a legislative franchise or a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) but must meet the criteria set by the NTC in registering as industry participants in order to construct, operate, lease or own networks or facilities.”

The bill also encourages sharing of infrastructure among telecom companies.

In 2022, a House version of the bill titled “Open Access Bill” was passed on third and final reading.

BK3 convenor lawyer Karry Sison said that before allowing new telco companies to bypass rigid and exacting trade requirements, the government must ensure that consumers and businesses, as well as national security, are protected against cybercriminals and scammers.

“Ang sobrang pagluluwag ng mga polisiya ay maaaring magdulot ng mas maraming problema kaysa sa solusyon (Too lenient policies can cause more problems than solutions),” she added.

The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators earlier said opening the country’s data transmission sector may have adverse effects on national security and consumer protection. 

On the other hand, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) expressed support for the Konektadong Pinoy bill. 

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the proposed measure “aims to reduce costs and expand access to high-quality internet services for all Filipinos, especially those in unserved and underserved areas.”  

He added that it will also promote competition in the digital space which would result in affordable cost for digital connectivity among Filipinos.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/AOL, GMA Integrated News