Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza has sought the passage of a bill seeking the creation of a new office solely tasked to protect the rights and welfare of consumers in the telecommunications industry. 

He said to protect the interest and needs of Filipino consumers and subscribers, the government should mandate strict compliancewith  minimum standards in telecommunication services.

“The ability to communicate and be an involved part of a society should always be guaranteed by the State. Especially under the new normal, efficient, affordable, and inclusive communication—particularly through telecommunications systems—is necessary,” Daza said.

He observed that having few players in the market prevents the customers from having better choices. 

“Much still needs to be done, particularly in advancing the rights of the consumers; the Philippines is still way behind,” the vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations said. 

He noted that in Australia, there is already an Ombudsman-type of agency that handles consumer-related complaints. 

“The telecommunications industry in Australia also allows wider latitude for consumer welfare, such as the relative ease in transferring to another network, strict rules on advertising and marketing, and financial hardship policy,” he added. 

Daza said he filed House Bill No. 7681, to be known as “An Act Protecting the Rights and Welfare of Consumers in the Telecommunications Industry” to advance innovative pro-consumer repossess and solutions based on best best practices and policies all over the world.

The bill calls for the creation of the Telecommunications Industry Consumer Protection (TICP) Office, to be jointly managed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Daza said that among the other features and protective mechanism proposed under HB 7681 include:  emphasizing and ensuring the operability of an “open access” system; prohibition of unfair and discriminatory practices by providers; ensuring truth in advertisement and marketing by providers; requiring minimum speed in internet services; enforcing of a financial hardship policy by providers—where those experiencing temporary hardships may temporarily or permanently opt-out from their subscribed services, ensuring freedom to switch to other networks at any time; and other pro-consumer welfare provisions. 

“The proposed TCIP, if the law is enacted, will require it to conduct a study that will consider whether the establishment of a more long-term agency such as a Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman- which already exists in Australia—will be viable and practical,” he said. 

Under the measure, the House leader proposed the following minimum internet speeds— 17 Mbps for mobile broadband internet; 38 Mbps or higher for fixed broadband, including DSL and cable;  and 76 Mbps for fiber optic or higher. 

These are based on the three-tiered categorization used by the United Kingdom government,  Daza noted. 

According to him, the Philippines is currently ranked 97th in a global listing of internet speed, with an average download speed of 6.05 Mbps. 

“I am hopeful that through this proposed legislation, the journey of the Philippines toward the rebuilding of the economy will be more cohesive, effective and inclusive. After all, going digital is a necessity under the new normal and will facilitate the building of our sustainable future,” Daza said.