To ensure equitable internet access across the country, Isabela 6th District Representative Faustino A. Dy is re-filing House bill 10388 requiring property developers to provide telcos space for network infrastructure in housing projects and to remove hurdles they often face in building cell sites.
"In the digital age, it is a basic human right to have good connectivity,” the legislator stated during the recent Globe’s Rise to the Next Level event with the country’s top builders.
“Nowadays, no one can live without good connectivity. Telco service is a necessity similar to how power and water. It should be treated as such," he maintained.
Already, the lower chamber of the 18th Congress approved the bill on the third reading but it fell short of reaching the bicameral level.
However, the legislator believes that the passage of the bill can be fast-tracked as it had already gone through comprehensive committee deliberations in the House.
“This bill requires real estate developers to give space to telcos, to really allow our consumers and people living in communities to benefit from this service,” says Dy.
Members of the real estate sector, such as the Victor Consunji Development Corporation (VCDC), support the bill and are providing telcos space to build Information Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure.
VCDC President and CEO Victor Consunji recalled a time when he was “on the other side of the fence” and complained why there was no reception in some of his development projects.
Then he found out that the telco servicing his area was having a hard time securing space to put up cell towers.
“That was literally standing in the way of progress. That’s when everything shifted and I said whatever space you want, go get it, just get towers in. It’s a win-win situation for everybody,” according to Consunji, who develop real estate offering built-in broadband services.
Other developers should support the bill and provide readily available connectivity in housing projects, according to Congressman Dy.
“Think about your buyers and your customers. I’d like to commend all developers already doing this and leading this kind of innovation in their partnerships. Those who are not doing it yet, please do it for your customers,” he urged.
“Being in government, our role is people centered, all laws should benefit the Filipino people. So please come on board, without a doubt it’s so vital in our everyday life. I’m asking other developers to let telcos operate in your areas,” he reiterated.
“We are encouraged by Congressman Dy’s move to refile this bill that is crucial in achieving our goal to connect as many households as possible to reliable connectivity," remarked Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.
"This will benefit our people at a time when internet access has become a lifeline,” he pointed out.
Most of all, the bill will enable the telco to pursue its aggressive network expansion further and widen the reach of its connectivity, he noted.