Government urged to invest on boosting internet connection

MANILA, Philippines – Concerned stakeholders are urging the government to focus more on boosting the Philippines' investment in broadband connections, noting the growing need for faster and better internet connection among Filipinos.

In a statement on Monday, CitizenWatch Philippines, an advocacy network, said that in 2024, a quarter of the Filipino population will still remain offline despite the advancements in technology and their growing use in daily activities.

The network said that the government must take action regarding this and invest in infrastructure, like the Private Sector Advisory Council's proposal to add around P240 billion in funding to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to help deploy 5G connections faster.

"Broadband investments will enable more Filipinos, wherever they may be in the archipelago, to participate in the digital economy, that would in turn increase their income potential and upgrade their skills," CitizenWatch Philippines said.

"If the Philippines wants to be a significant player in the global economy and boast of a people that is dynamic and technologically adept, the government must take this decisive action soonest. Ultimately, this will redound to the benefit of ordinary Filipinos, who stand to live a productive, efficient, and upwardly mobile life," it added.

Data from the DICT showed that 65% of the country's population is still not connected to the internet. According to the Statista Research Department, an international research company, 77.81% of the Filipino population will only have an internet connection by 2028 in its current phase.

The average broadband internet speed in the Philippines is currently ranked 41st in the world, according to the Telecom Review. This is allegedly still a big problem because the speed is frequently inconsistent and merely limited.

Think tank Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit also wants more investments in broadband connections, noting that it is better to invest now rather than later to help adapt to the changing times.

"The transformative potential of broadband infrastructure can be best harnessed by the Philippines' young and digital savvy