Reducing NTC mandate in Konektadong Pinoy bill might result to abuses — group

An advisory group has warned that the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Act, or Senate Bill 2699, which would reduce the regulatory oversight of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), might result to abuses.

Advisory and research firm Stratbase said that while lawmakers have noble intentions in mind, "the bill in its current form may expose us to more pitfalls and risks."

SB2699, if passed, will eliminate the need for a congressional franchise for telecommunication companies, which diminishes the regulatory powers of the NTC.  

Stratbase added that Congress should take a second look at the bill, as future entrants in the telecommunications space in the Philippines might abuse the country's vulnerability due to the law for self-vested interests.

"We implore our lawmakers to take a second look at how, in our pursuit of connectivity, we may be opening ourselves up to abuses from entities that have malicious intent and whose goals may be different from what the law claims it wants," Stratbase said.

"The law seeks to make it easier for investments in telecommunications to pour into the country, and part of this is to address the roadblocks that hinder the flow of investments. But in our zeal to encourage investments, it would be prudent to maintain the regulatory oversight of the NTC. Only it will keep telcos in line and will serve as the people’s recourse," it added.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, proponent of the bill, earlier said the proposed measure was a "landmark bill" that would pave the way for reliable, affordable, accessible internet connection across the country.

"I really feel that this is an opportunity to comprehensively approach this and once magawa natin to, we will in a year, two, or three years see the difference of having reliable, affordable, accessible internet connection in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao," he added.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is pushing for the passage of the measure which, it said, will provide open access and transparency in the country’s data transmission sector. — Ted Cordero/AOL, GMA Integrated News