FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe described the government's ₱13.1-billion investment in online connectivity and cyber security this year as a defining step toward a truly connected and competitive Philippines.

He did so during the Philippine Telecom Summit 2026 held on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Newport Dome in Newport World Resorts, Pasay City.

Poe, a neophyte solon in the 20th Congress, had a great grasp on the matter, as he was the sponsor of the Department of Information and Communications Technology's (DICT) budget during the deliberations on what would become the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) in the House of Representatives last year.

Addressing government leaders, regulators, and telecommunications executives, Poe emphasized that the 2026 DICT budget was more than a line item in the GAA. He said it was a national commitment to ensure that every Filipino benefits from the digital economy.

“It is understatement that this is a strategic investment for the future of the Filipino people. Budgets, after all, tell us what a government values—and in 2026, the Philippine government is making a clear statement: digital inclusion, digital trust, and digital competitiveness matter,” he said.

Poe noted that of the amount, ₱5.37 billion was earmarked for capital outlays to expand the country’s digital backbone. Meanwhile, an additional ₱5 billion through the Free Public Internet Access Fund will be used to improve connectivity in public schools and higher education institutions—especially in remote and underserved communities.

“At the heart of our digital agenda is a simple but powerful principle: no Filipino should be left OFFline because of geography, income, or circumstance,” stressed the Pangasinan-based lawmaker.

He says that investments in school connectivity are critical not only for education, but for workforce readiness and long-term national competitiveness.

The DICT budget also provides ₱667 million for the National Broadband Program and over ₱747 million for National Government Data Center Infrastructure--fundings that aim to make government services faster, more reliable, and more responsive.

A further ₱3.25 billion will support the Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project through an international financing partnership. This will enabling large-scale, long-term systems that can serve the country for decades.

“These investments recognize that broadband and data are now as critical to governance as roads and bridges. A connected government is a more efficient government—and ultimately, a more responsive one,” Poe said.

The House Committee on Appropriations vice chairman reckoned that connectivity must go hand-in-hand with security and trust. Nearly ₱1.96 billion has been allocated to cybersecurity infrastructure, with ₱573.7 million directed to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center and ₱428.8 million to strengthen data privacy enforcement.

“But let me be clear: connectivity without trust is a liability. These resources will strengthen our national capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats—threats that grow more sophisticated every year,” said Poe.

To ensure fair competition and stability in the telecommunications sector, ₱726.4 million has been allocated for regulatory enforcement and spectrum management through the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

“Strong regulation is not anti-industry. On the contrary, it is what creates stability, predictability, and long-term confidence for investors and operators alike,” Poe said.

Poe closed his speech by calling on telecom operators, technology providers, and innovators to work closely with government to translate funding into tangible outcomes for citizens.