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Tarlac 2nd district Rep. Christian Yap has recognized the need to update the nearly 50-year-old building code in order to make country’s edifices more "technology ready".

For this purpose, Yap filed House Bill (HB) No. 900, or the Act providing for the telecommunications technology readiness of building and structures. It seeks to amend certain sections of Presidential Decree (PDl No.1096 or the National Building Code of 1977.

According to Yap, the building code must be updated with the inclusion of adequate space for broadband facilities to put more emphasis on the necessity of electronic equipment facilities.

The bill mandates building permits to conform with the design, which satisfies additional electronics requirements for multi-dwelling buildings, commercial buildings, government and office buildings, public and private schools, and government and private hospitals.

"Given the technological advancements, especially the proliferation of electronic equipment facilities within these building premises, the four-decade old law must be updated to make the standards of buildings appropriate and more relevant," Yap said in his explanatory note on the bill.

The Philippines is 41st in the world when it comes to average broadband Internet speed, according to the Telecom Review. This is problematic as the speed is frequently inconsistent and merely limited.

The 2021 data from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) showed that there are more than 22,000 cell sites in the country, but these are shared between three telecommunications companies or telcos. Vietnam has 90,000 cell sites.

Data from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) showed that a whopping 65 percent of the country's population is still not connected to the Internet.

According to the Statista Research Department, an international research company, 77.81 percent of the Filipino population will only have an internet connection by 2028 in its current phase.

"Information and communications technology, or ICT, is necessary to enhance good governance and key public services such as education and public health and safety. Thus, as we recognize today the vital role of ICT in nation-building, it is high time that we ensure that our buildings are capacitated towards achieving universal access to quality, reliable, and secure ICT services," the Tarlac lawmaker added.

A similar measure was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda to remove the leases of telecommunication companies and treat Internet service as a human right.

Salceda's HB No. 8534 seeks to revise the National Building Code to recognize broadband connectivity in the same way as water and electricity, which do not require lease fees in their facilities.

Salceda argued that, in Metro Manila alone, around a million people who live in 160,000 condominium units need fast and reliable Internet connection, and will benefit from better Internet connection, if the measure is passed.

According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Philippines has the lowest coverage rates of telecom towers in Southeast Asia. The country will need an additional 60,000 towers by 2031 in far-flung areas.

Currently, 767 buildings across the country have accepted the zero-lease initiative, with Makati City having the highest number at 105, Taguig with 91, and Quezon City with 57 under Globe Telecommunications.

Areas in North and South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, on the other hand, have yet to pick up the pace with the zero-lease for buildings to help with providing better Internet access.