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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian laments Philippine internet access still lacking even after 30 years

Gatchalian laments Philippine internet access still lacking even after 30 years

Published Mar 29, 2024 05:18 am

As the country commemorates March 29, 1994 as the day the Philippines was first connected to the internet, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the fact remains that Internet access in the country remains inadequate.

Gatchalian lamented that the state of inadequacy and the government’s inability to improve internet access will no doubt hamper the economic development of the country.

“Without a doubt, the internet is the most game-changing technology that continues to reshape the way we live our lives,” Gatchalian said.

“It is unfortunate that even after 30 years of internet presence in the country, a sizable portion of our population continues to miss out on its benefits,” the senator lamented.

Citing data from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), there has been a significant rise in household internet access from 17.7% in 2019 to 76.90% in 2022.

The survey is based on the 2022 Women and ICT Development Index (WIDI) Survey and the 2019 National ICT Household Survey (NICTHS).

The lawmaker warned that excluding a substantial portion of the country’s population from internet-based technologies may hinder essential economic advancement, particularly in rural areas.

“The internet has become a necessity in the area of education, research and development, business promotion and innovation, communication, and financial management, among others,” he pointed out.

“To realize inclusive economic development, particularly in poorer areas of the country, the government needs to double down on its program to provide internet access to all, he emphasized,” he stressed.

Gatchalian reiterated that in order to help propel internet connectivity in the country, the use and development of satellite-based technologies should be encouraged and promoted.

He earlier filed Senate Bill No. 814 or the Satellite-based Technologies for Internet Connectivity Act in a bid to pursue the development and use of satellite-based technologies.

The measure primarily aims to ensure universal access to the internet, especially in critical areas such as e-government and the delivery of basic services, education, health, trade, finance, disaster preparedness, and public safety.

According to Gatchalian, satellite-based internet technology uses a satellite to get an internet signal from the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to the user. The ISP sends a fiber internet signal to a satellite in space.

The satellite dish is connected to the modem of the user, which then helps connect the user to the internet.

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