Press Release - Cayetano leads push to boost Philippines' digital competitiveness with 'Konektadong Pinoy Act'

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday led efforts to enhance the Philippines' digital infrastructure and close the gap with neighboring Southeast Asian countries as he pushed for the swift passage of Senate Bill 2699, more known as the 'Konektadong Pinoy Act.'

"Unless we pay attention to this, we will not catch up with our neighbors," Cayetano emphasized in his Senate sponsorship speech on August 5, 2024.

"Once magawa natin ito, we will really see the difference of having reliable and affordable connection in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao," he added.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Cayetano reiterated the challenges the Philippines faces in keeping up with its neighbors.

A 2024 World Bank report revealed that the Philippines has the most expensive internet in Southeast Asia, yet it still lags behind in speed and reliability compared to countries like Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei.

According to Cayetano, this digital gap has hampered productivity across various sectors, affecting not only businesses but all Filipinos, especially students and teachers, who rely on the internet for education, work, and daily activities.

"Kung hindi ka magkakaroon nito, don't expect y'ung productivity mo tataas rin," Cayetano said.

He further expressed his belief that the country's push for e-governance, which is crucial for streamlining government services and reducing corruption, will not be effective if internet connectivity remains poor and expensive.

The 'Konektadong Pinoy Act' aims to update outdated telecommunications rules that have made it difficult to improve internet connectivity in the Philippines. It also focuses on making the internet more affordable, faster, and easier to access.

By removing the need for a legislative franchise, the bill simplifies the approval process for telecom companies, making it easier for new players to enter the market and drive competition. This, in turn, is expected to lower costs and improve the quality of services available to consumers.

The bill also addresses the efficient management of the radio spectrum, which is essential for expanding coverage and enhancing service quality, particularly