The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has strongly suggested that President Duterte sign an executive order to liberalize access to satellite technology as telcos failed to provide good Internet services and access in the countryside.

PCCI President Amb. Benedicto V. Yujuico said at the press launch for the 46th Philippine Business Conference, the first ever for the annual PBC to be held virtually on October 7-8 on the theme “Innovation@ph”, cited the need to amend Executive Order 467 to remove the franchise requirement in the access of international satellite systems in unserved and underserved areas.

“We are now pursuing this by urging the signing of a new Executive Order on satellite access liberalization - to effect an immediate expanded Internet coverage and to improve connectivity, and the enactment of the Open Access in Data Technology Act or the Better Internet Act to enforce a simple expeditious administrative process for new market entrants, as well as fast-track and lower the cost of broadband network rollout,” he said.

This year’s PBC will highlight the theme “Innovation@ph” to give emphasis on the drive by PCCI for innovation in the country as the way forward.

“COVID-19 has made internet connectivity essential as part of our recovery and bounce back plan,” he stressed.

The PCCI leader, however, said that 40 percent of the population, 57 percent of households and 52 percent of public schools nationwide remain to have zero access to internet facilities.

“The absence of internet connection means many offices, businesses, workers, students, and citizen will be excluded and left behind. This situation will only intensify as we transition to the new normal where not only work and education, but also essential activities like government and commercial transactions will shift to digital modes,” he said.

According to Yujuico, there are currently 15 satellites that cover the country today ready to deliver broadband. However, the use of satellite for Internet has been negligible due to restrictions that limit their use to telecommunication companies with Congressional franchise under E.O. 467.

Improving the country’s access to the internet would empower local businesses. Yujuico stressed that PCCI aims to make entrepreneurs/firms the dominant force in innovation, including how to enhance the way innovative talent is nurtured and used.

To help MSMEs, the PCCI has proposed the creation of the PCCI Innovation Center that will serve as a source of information, advice, resource allocation, technical service and technical evaluation to enable entrepreneurs/innovators to commercialize technologies faster.

The Innovation Center is nearing its opening but for MSMEs to be able to avail of the services we and other government and private sector services offer, MSMEs from all over the country should have easy access to a stable internet connection.

PCCI intends to work with government in establishing an innovation ecosystem to generate new ideas and transform these ideas into new products, services and processes. This ecosystem will require accessible markets, human capital, funding, mentors, conducive regulatory framework, infrastructure, education and training, universities and research institutions which will serve as catalysts as well as public support.

For innovation to thrive, Yujuico also pushed for more innovation-oriented regulation. Foremost, the PCCI is advocating that agencies like Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Science and Technology have a unified approach to technology planning, funding management and allocation.

“We acknowledge these two agencies for putting in place programs such as the Filipinnovation, where DOST assists companies to grow using innovative technologies and capabilities developed by DOST’s technology experts and the DOST’s Science for Change Program (S4CP) that provides and at the same time encourages private sector investments in science and technology, human resource development and research and development,” he said.

He also called for supportive policies such as the creation and preservation of incentives system and sustainability of finance.

In addition, PCCI has urged the government to further address issues on red tape, lengthy licensing procedures, overregulation; education that is not conducive to creative thinking; training not aligned with market needs and state of technologies, monopolies, inadequate intellectual property protection, and most important, internet connectivity, which drives digitalization that has been powering all these innovations.