Malacañang confirmed that the Konektadong Pinoy Bill has lapsed into law.
(Photo courtesy of DICT)
"Lapsed into law na po (It has lapsed into law)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Sunday, Aug. 24.
The Konektadong Pinoy Bill seeks to broaden internet access, streamline the licensing process for internet service providers, and aims to allow new and small players to enter the market.
It is seen as a step towards making the Philippines a regional ICT powerhouse.
However, concerns over the proposed law, which has lapsed into law, have been raised regarding potential regulatory and cybersecurity risks.
The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO) were among the groups that have raised concerns over the proposed measure, citing national concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight over new data transmission players.
They also cited that it would destabilize the telecommunications sector in the long run.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has since allayed fears over the concerns surrounding the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, saying they are committed to "uphold national security, consumer protection, and universal access to secure, affordable, and reliable internet."
It stressed that the DICT "will never allow deregulation at the expense of security or public interest." It added that it will not weaken the role of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
It also assured that "all new entrants will be required to comply with baseline cybersecurity controls before operations begin, under the direct supervision of the DICT and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC)."