Latest news with #KonektadongPinoy
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GMA Network
7 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Groups still apprehensive of Konektadong Pinoy amid DICT assurance
Groups continue to express apprehension on Konektadong Pinoy Bill despite assurance from the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Citizens Crime Watch Internationale said it is skeptical about the merits of the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, saying its unintended consequence may spur the proliferation of online gaming or e-gambling. Scam Watch Pilipinas, on the other hand, said the bill may spur cyber fraud and weaken the country's digital security. CCWI founder and national chairman Michelle Botor said that beyond the national security risks is a potential surge in access to online gambling platforms, which can be inadvertently fueled by the bill. 'Without robust vetting and filtering mechanisms in place, the legislation may provide unregulated e-gaming operators with easier market entry through new, unmonitored digital infrastructure,' Botor said. 'The Konektadong Pinoy legislation seeks to connect more Filipinos to internet, but if cybersecurity is treated as an afterthought, it also opens the door to serious threats - particularly from unregulated online gambling platforms,' she added. She noted that such platforms are increasingly being used to lure people into fraudulent schemes, contributing to a rise in digital addiction, debt, and the involvement of minors in illegal gambling activities. She argued that with greater digital reach and weak filters, the KPB, if enacted into law could unintentionally normalize gambling behavior among youth and vulnerable sectors of the population. For its part, the Scam Watch Pilipinas said that while it supports the bill's goal of expanding nationwide internet access and modernizing the country's digital infrastructure, it warns that several provisions may inadvertently expose the Philippines to escalating risks involving cybersecurity, and data privacy breaches. Cybersecurity stakeholders earlier urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to address the cybersecurity risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is now awaiting the signature of the country's chief executive to become a law. In a statement Tuesday, the DICT said it welcomes the public dialogue surrounding the measure, which is now awaiting the President's signature. It said it acknowledges the concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding potential regulatory and cybersecurity risks. 'We affirm our shared commitment with civil society, industry, and government partners to uphold national security, consumer protection, and universal access to secure, affordable, and reliable internet,' the ICT Department said. 'The DICT will never allow deregulation at the expense of security or public interest. The Konektadong Pinoy Bill does not weaken the role of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC),' it added. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT defends Konektadong Pinoy Act, welcomes dialogue
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday addressed several issues concerning the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, saying it welcomes the public dialogue surrounding the measure, which is now awaiting the President's signature. In a statement, the DICT said it acknowledges the concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding potential regulatory and cybersecurity risks. 'We affirm our shared commitment with civil society, industry, and government partners to uphold national security, consumer protection, and universal access to secure, affordable, and reliable internet,' the ICT Department said. The agency, moreover, issued clarifications to address pressing issues on the Konektadong Pinoy bill. 'The DICT will never allow deregulation at the expense of security or public interest. The Konektadong Pinoy Bill does not weaken the role of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC),' it said. 'On the contrary, it modernizes and strengthens NTC's mandate to respond faster and more effectively to digital-age challenges — including the ability to issue compliance directives on cybersecurity, quality of service, and fair competition under streamlined frameworks,' it added. The DICT further said that it is already preparing complementary Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that explicitly reinforce the NTC's role as the technical regulator with teeth — not just a passive licensing body. On the issues of foreign ownership and national security, the ICT Department stressed, 'National security is a non-negotiable priority.' 'The DICT, in coordination with national security agencies, will ensure that no foreign-controlled entity gains access to critical digital infrastructure without undergoing multi-layered vetting and continuous monitoring,' it said. 'The bill introduces open access within defined segments — particularly the middle mile and last mile — to address the broadband gap. But backbone and core infrastructure remain governed by existing ownership and security laws, including the Public Service Act and Cybercrime Prevention Act,' it added. Critics of the measure, including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO), have flagged security issues as it would allow new entrants to not require a legislative franchise. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). Meanwhile, cybersecurity stakeholders — Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP), Scam Watch Pilipinas, BPO Security Council, PhilDev S&T Foundation, and the Philippines CIO Association — urged President Ferdinand Marcos to address the cybersecurity risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill either 'through a veto with recommendations, immediate amendments post-enactment, or complementary executive actions.' The DICT addressed issues on the removal of the legislative franchise requirement in the bill, saying it 'was carefully deliberated to accelerate deployment in underserved areas, especially in remote provinces.' 'It does not apply to telcos.' 'The DICT emphasizes that all entities must still secure proper permits, undergo security reviews, and be subject to the oversight of DICT and its attached agencies,' it added. The agency said that there will be no 'grace period' for negligence. 'The three-year clause cited in the bill refers only to minimum standards for legacy compliance, not to active threat management. All new entrants will be required to comply with baseline cybersecurity controls before operations begin, under the direct supervision of the DICT and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC),' the DICT said. The ICT Department said it is actively consulting with legal, civil society, and cybersecurity partners 'as we finalize the IRR and bicameral inputs.' 'We invite groups to submit position papers, recommend safeguards, and participate in our technical working groups. This law is not an endpoint — it is a starting point for deeper reform, built on transparency, accountability, and collaboration,' it said. The agency said that it is reaffirming its 'core objective,' which is 'to make the internet a right, not a privilege.' 'We are open to better ideas. But we must act decisively and together—because every day without action is another day of digital exclusion for millions of Filipinos. Let's connect the country—securely, inclusively, and responsibly,' the DICT said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT chief Aguda defends Konektadong Pinoy Act
There's a high chance of the Konektadong Pinoy Act becoming a law, DICT Henry Aguda told reporters on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Ted Cordero/GMA Integrated News Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda is backing the passage into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which faces opposition from various telecommunications industry stakeholders, saying it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. 'We've already endorsed it, me and Secretary [Arsenio] Balisacan of DEPDev [Department of Economy, Planning, and Development], we're awaiting the schedule on when it will be taken to Malacañang,' Aguda told reporters at an informal briefing in Quezon City on Thursday. 'Mataas ang chance na matutuloy na 'yun [There's a high chance it will become a law],' the DICT chief added. However, he clarified that he does not want to preempt what President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s decision would be. Critics of the Konektadong Pinoy Act include the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO). PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. PAPTELCO, on the other hand, urged Marcos to veto the bill also flagging national security issues as new players would no longer be required to secure a legislative franchise. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). Aguda, in the bill's defense, said that 'there's no denying that Konektadong Pinoy will increase competition in the industry… and nobody is going to deny that [increased] competition will be good for the industry.' 'Konektadong Pinoy squarely addresses affordability because the more competition… the public will have more choices, which would bring down prices,' the DICT secretary said. The ICT chief said major telcos would even benefit from increased competition as they could divert revenues from end-users to wholesale as new entrants could tap into their existing internet infrastructure. 'Actually maganda nga 'tong Konektadong Pinoy sa major telcos kasi 'yung mga magtatayo para sa 'middle mile' makikigamit ng kanilang broadband service kasi hindi naman sila magtatayo ng transmission na malaki eh… So malilipat ang revenue nila from retail to maybe wholesale,' Aguda said. (Actually this bill will be good for the major telcos because those putting up the "middle mile" will need to use their broadband service, because they won't be putting up a big their revenue will be transferred from retail to maybe wholesale.) As to concerns on national security and other issues raised by critics of the bill, the DICT secretary said the ICT Department and its attached agency, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), would address it in crafting the measures implementing rules and regulations (IRR) once the bill is signed into law. 'We just have to be very exacting on the specific concerns of the industry. What I was hearing were… one is national security… we hear them and we'll address that with the help of the telcos. Another concern was… spectrum refarming… the NTC will set the specific regulatory [oversight] on frequency allocation,' Aguda said. On PH's dip in Mobile Connectivity Index The DICT chief also emphasized that the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which he said would result in increased competition in the telecoms space, would help in improving the Philippines' ranking in the GSM Association Mobile Connectivity Index. The latest edition of the GSMA's index—which assesses countries' performance on key factors in adopting mobile internet such as infrastructure, affordability, consumer readiness, and content and services— saw the country's score drop by 0.52 to 67.69. Aguda said that 'while this marks a slight decline from the previous year, it serves as a timely reminder of the work that remains in achieving universal, reliable, and affordable digital access for all Filipinos.' 'We see this report not as a setback, but as a guide that reinforces our focus on closing the digital divide, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to have an inclusive and digitally connected Philippines,' he said. The DICT reiterated that the agency is pushing for the passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which he described as a "landmark legislation" that promotes open-access policies, infrastructure sharing among telecommunications providers, and streamlining of permitting processes for broadband rollout. 'By lowering operational barriers and fostering competition, the measure is expected to reduce internet costs by 2028, while accelerating the deployment of high-quality connectivity across urban and rural areas alike,' Aguda said. The ICT Department, he said, is also expanding the Free Wi-Fi for All Program, particularly in remote and underserved communities. — BM, GMA Integrated News
