DICT defends Konektadong Pinoy Act, welcomes dialogue
In a statement, the DICT said it acknowledges the concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding potential regulatory and cybersecurity risks.
'We affirm our shared commitment with civil society, industry, and government partners to uphold national security, consumer protection, and universal access to secure, affordable, and reliable internet,' the ICT Department said.
The agency, moreover, issued clarifications to address pressing issues on the Konektadong Pinoy bill.
'The DICT will never allow deregulation at the expense of security or public interest. The Konektadong Pinoy Bill does not weaken the role of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC),' it said.
'On the contrary, it modernizes and strengthens NTC's mandate to respond faster and more effectively to digital-age challenges — including the ability to issue compliance directives on cybersecurity, quality of service, and fair competition under streamlined frameworks,' it added.
The DICT further said that it is already preparing complementary Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that explicitly reinforce the NTC's role as the technical regulator with teeth — not just a passive licensing body.
On the issues of foreign ownership and national security, the ICT Department stressed, 'National security is a non-negotiable priority.'
'The DICT, in coordination with national security agencies, will ensure that no foreign-controlled entity gains access to critical digital infrastructure without undergoing multi-layered vetting and continuous monitoring,' it said.
'The bill introduces open access within defined segments — particularly the middle mile and last mile — to address the broadband gap. But backbone and core infrastructure remain governed by existing ownership and security laws, including the Public Service Act and Cybercrime Prevention Act,' it added.
Critics of the measure, including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO), have flagged security issues as it would allow new entrants to not require a legislative franchise.
Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
Meanwhile, cybersecurity stakeholders — Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP), Scam Watch Pilipinas, BPO Security Council, PhilDev S&T Foundation, and the Philippines CIO Association — urged President Ferdinand Marcos to address the cybersecurity risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill either 'through a veto with recommendations, immediate amendments post-enactment, or complementary executive actions.'
The DICT addressed issues on the removal of the legislative franchise requirement in the bill, saying it 'was carefully deliberated to accelerate deployment in underserved areas, especially in remote provinces.'
'It does not apply to telcos.'
'The DICT emphasizes that all entities must still secure proper permits, undergo security reviews, and be subject to the oversight of DICT and its attached agencies,' it added.
The agency said that there will be no 'grace period' for negligence.
'The three-year clause cited in the bill refers only to minimum standards for legacy compliance, not to active threat management. 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),' the DICT said.
The ICT Department said it is actively consulting with legal, civil society, and cybersecurity partners 'as we finalize the IRR and bicameral inputs.'
'We invite groups to submit position papers, recommend safeguards, and participate in our technical working groups. This law is not an endpoint — it is a starting point for deeper reform, built on transparency, accountability, and collaboration,' it said.
The agency said that it is reaffirming its 'core objective,' which is 'to make the internet a right, not a privilege.'
'We are open to better ideas. But we must act decisively and together—because every day without action is another day of digital exclusion for millions of Filipinos. Let's connect the country—securely, inclusively, and responsibly,' the DICT said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- GMA Network
Former DICT chief warns of Konektadong Pinoy Bill risks
A former secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology has warned of the potential threats to national security posed by the Konektadong Pinoy Bill. Gregorio 'Gringo' Honasan II, also a former senator, said the measure lacks sufficient security mechanisms, particularly in safeguarding the country's digital infrastructure. Honasan was quoted in a statement issued by the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators who shares his concerns. He noted the absence of a clear legal process for national security vetting of Data Transmission Participants, saying the implementing rules and regulations alone would be inadequate to ensure proper scrutiny and accountability. 'Without a prior legally mandated national security vetting process in allowing DTP, the IRR alone cannot provide the necessary level of scrutiny and accountability,' he said. He added the bill also fails to adequately regulate foreign-controlled firms, especially in sensitive operations such as cable landing stations and satellite gateways. He also described the current provisions as overly lenient and lacking sufficient safeguards for critical infrastructure. Honasan further said the bill does not provide clear and legally grounded penalties for companies that violate regulations. Several groups have earlier urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to address the risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is now awaiting his signature to become a law. Earlier this month, DICT issued clarifications to address the issues regarding the bill. It added that it welcomes public dialogue surrounding the measure. — AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14 hours ago
- GMA Network
Marcos vows nationwide internet access in public schools by end of 2025
'Napakahalaga ng internet sa ating pagtahak patungo sa Bagong Pilipinas. Kaya nitong padaliin at baguhin ang pamumuhay ng ating mga mamamayan. Hindi lang ito para sa may kaya, o para lamang sa mga bata. Ito ay para sa lahat,' said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. during his SONA on July 28, 2025. Public schools across the Philippines should have internet connectivity by the end of 2025, along with the expansion of towers and cell sites in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said Monday. In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are working to have all public schools connected to the internet. 'Napakahalaga ng internet sa ating pagtahak patungo sa Bagong Pilipinas. Kaya nitong padaliin at baguhin ang pamumuhay ng ating mga mamamayan. Hindi lang ito para sa may kaya, o para lamang sa mga bata. Ito ay para sa lahat,' he said. 'Halos labindalawang libong pampublikong paaralan pa ang walang internet. Kaya sinisiguro ng DICT at DepEd na bago matapos ang taong ito, magkakaroon na ng koneksyon sa internet ang lahat ng pampublikong paaralan,' he added. (The internet is vital in our journey toward a Bagong Pilipinas. It can simplify and transform the lives of our people. It is not just for the wealthy, or only for the young. It is for everyone. Almost 12,000 public schools still have no internet access. That's why the DICT and the DepEd are making sure that before the end of this year, all public schools will be connected to the internet.) 'Ngayong taon din, nagsimula na tayong mamigay ng mahigit isang milyong SIM cards na may libreng data para sa ating mga eskuwelahan, lalo na sa mga liblib na pook. At dahil pinaganda at pinabilis natin, dadami pa ang mga bagong torre at cell sites sa mga GIDAS. Ngunit kulang pa rin ang mga ito,' he said. (This year, we also began distributing over one million SIM cards with free data for our schools, especially those in remote areas. And because we have improved and sped up the process, more new towers and cell sites will be built in GIDAS. But these are still not enough.) Marcos in his speech also said the first three phases of the national Fiber Backbone project have already been completed, but agencies are working to improve coverage in GIDAs or areas that are physically and socio-economically separated from mainstream society. The National Broadband Plan Phase 1 involved the activation of 26 nodes from Laoag City in Ilocos Norte to Roces in Quezon City using the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines' (NGCP) dark fiber. Subsequent phases extended the network reach to connect to more regions across the country. With this, Marcos on Monday said there are now almost 19,000 free wifi sites across the country, up from just 4,000 in 2022. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14 hours ago
- GMA Network
Marcos vows internet for all public schools by end of 2025
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed Monday that all public schools in the Philippines will have internet access before the end of 2025, as part of his administration's aggressive push to modernize education and bridge the country's digital divide. During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the lack of connectivity in thousands of schools remains a major challenge, but one his administration is determined to solve within the year. 'Halos labindalawang libong pampublikong paaralan pa ang walang internet. Kaya sinisiguro ng DICT at DepEd na bago matapos ang taong ito, magkakaroon na ng koneksyon sa internet ang lahat ng pampublikong paaralan,' he noted. (Nearly 12,000 public schools still have no internet. That's why the DICT and DepEd are making sure that before the year ends, every public school will be connected to the internet.) Marcos emphasized that internet access is a vital tool in building a "Bagong Pilipinas"—a more connected, inclusive, and future-ready nation. 'Napakahalaga ng internet sa ating pagtahak patungo sa Bagong Pilipinas... Hindi lang ito para sa may kaya, o para lamang sa mga bata. Ito ay para sa lahat,' he said. (The internet is crucial in our path toward a New Philippines... It is not just for the privileged or for the young. It is for everyone.) He reported that the first three phases of the National Fiber Backbone project have been completed, significantly enhancing the country's internet infrastructure. At the same time, the number of Free Wi-Fi sites nationwide has jumped from just 4,000 in June 2022 to nearly 19,000 this year. Additionally, over a million SIM cards loaded with free data have been distributed to schools, particularly in far-flung areas, to support distance learning and digital access for students and teachers. 'Ngayong taon din, nagsimula na tayong mamigay ng mahigit isang milyong SIM cards na may libreng data para sa ating mga eskuwelahan, lalo na sa mga liblib na pook,' Marcos said. (This year, we began distributing over a million SIM cards with free data to our schools, especially in remote areas.) More towers and cell sites are also being constructed in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) to ensure even the most remote schools will not be left behind. The President's statement aligns with his broader education reforms, which include free higher education, teacher support, and digital learning tools like laptops and smart TVs. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
