Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has underscored the necessity of pouring more investments in information and communications technology to bridge the “digital divide” that has surfaced as a result of the continued devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Velasco aired his view as he addressed leaders of the various parliaments in South Asia who were present in the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) which started Monday, August 23.

Velasco said the digital divide—which allows some to stay on task remotely while others left out—prevents societies from harnessing the full benefits that ICT and digital economy can deliver.

“Everyone must have equitable access to opportunities the digital economy has to offer. Greater efforts should be made to narrow the digital divide within the specific context of each member state and community,”Velasco said in a statement.

“The key is to invest in sufficient infrastructure and connectivity to broaden physical access to mobile and internet networks, which will also enhance access to education, markets, and other economic opportunities,” he added.

Held in Brunei Darussalam, AIPA members convened as they assessed legislative measures that would help address the impacts of the pandemic. This year’s theme focused on ASEAN parliamentary cooperation on digital connectivity and inclusion that will lay the groundwork for a resilient economic recovery.

According to Velasco, the call to leverage the digital economy has become more compelling as the region grapples with the nature of the “new normal.” While it continues to ravage people’s lives and the economy, Velasco said the pandemic has accelerated digitalization, which is “transforming the way we communicate, work, learn, and live.” The Lower House official lamented that not all ASEAN countries are able to leverage digital technologies to their full potential, citing the gaps between nations in the region in basic access to the internet, along with speed and cost.

He also cited the disparity in internet access within countries, especially in remote and marginalized areas, as well as the “significant gaps” in policy and regulatory infrastructure to unlock further growth in the digital economy.

In the Philippine context, Velasco said steps have been taken to reduce the digital divide by lowering regulatory and other barriers to market entry.

He said the House of Representatives has approved legislative measures that allow a more diverse set of providers to enter and operate in the market.

These include the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, which aims to establish a strong and independent regulatory system and body to ensure fair competition in the data transmission industry; and the Amendments to the Public Service Act, which provides a clear distinction between how a public service and public utility is defined, in effect relaxing foreign participation in public utilities.

He said the legislature also helped foster a conducive environment to minimize inherent risks in a digital economy amid issues of misuse of private information, personal security breaches and unsafe access that deter producers and consumers from embracing digital solutions.

To build trust and protect consumers, Velasco said that Congress passed the Internet Transactions Act to regulate all business-to-business and business-to-consumer commercial transactions over the internet.

The Filipino legislative leader said only four ASEAN member states have data protection laws namely, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand; while other states in the region such as Indonesia are in various stages of developing their own data protection and privacy laws.