Latest news with #HenryAguda
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT, Maharlika sign pact on digital infra investments
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC) have forged a partnership to boost digital infrastructure investments in the country. In a statement on Wednesday, the DICT said Secretary Henry Aguda and MIC president and CEO Rafael Consing Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on July 15. Under its collaboration with the ICT Department, the country's sovereign wealth fund would invest in 'critical digital infrastructure projects that not only generate long-term returns but also drive inclusive growth across geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).' The DICT said the investment cooperation accord is seen to bring more ICT infrastructure as it emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships amid the growing importance of the digital economy in the country's economic growth. 'We will fulfill the promise of the President to the Filipino people to provide affordable internet, from Batanes and Marawi to Caramoan Island and everywhere that there's a person who needs to go online. If we work together, our window for execution is very short, but the impact we will create for this country will be generational,' said Aguda. 'This MOU marks a vital step toward building the digital backbone of our nation, one that delivers long-term, intergenerational impact. By prioritizing digital infrastructure today, we are not only enabling inclusive growth and innovation but also securing opportunities for future generations of Filipinos. Maharlika is proud to play a key role in shaping a more connected, future-ready Philippines,' Consing added. The DICT said its partnership with the MIC is also expected to boost investor confidence and attract local and foreign investments in underserved areas. By enhancing digital capabilities in remote and rural localities, the initiative will create a foundation for new economic activities, innovation hubs, and service industries, which will ultimately contribute to balanced regional development and reduced socio-economic disparities, according to the ICT Department. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT chief Aguda defends Konektadong Pinoy Act
There's a high chance of the Konektadong Pinoy Act becoming a law, DICT Henry Aguda told reporters on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Ted Cordero/GMA Integrated News Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda is backing the passage into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which faces opposition from various telecommunications industry stakeholders, saying it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. 'We've already endorsed it, me and Secretary [Arsenio] Balisacan of DEPDev [Department of Economy, Planning, and Development], we're awaiting the schedule on when it will be taken to Malacañang,' Aguda told reporters at an informal briefing in Quezon City on Thursday. 'Mataas ang chance na matutuloy na 'yun [There's a high chance it will become a law],' the DICT chief added. However, he clarified that he does not want to preempt what President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s decision would be. Critics of the Konektadong Pinoy Act include the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO). PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. PAPTELCO, on the other hand, urged Marcos to veto the bill also flagging national security issues as new players would no longer be required to secure 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). Aguda, in the bill's defense, said that 'there's no denying that Konektadong Pinoy will increase competition in the industry… and nobody is going to deny that [increased] competition will be good for the industry.' 'Konektadong Pinoy squarely addresses affordability because the more competition… the public will have more choices, which would bring down prices,' the DICT secretary said. The ICT chief said major telcos would even benefit from increased competition as they could divert revenues from end-users to wholesale as new entrants could tap into their existing internet infrastructure. 'Actually maganda nga 'tong Konektadong Pinoy sa major telcos kasi 'yung mga magtatayo para sa 'middle mile' makikigamit ng kanilang broadband service kasi hindi naman sila magtatayo ng transmission na malaki eh… So malilipat ang revenue nila from retail to maybe wholesale,' Aguda said. (Actually this bill will be good for the major telcos because those putting up the "middle mile" will need to use their broadband service, because they won't be putting up a big their revenue will be transferred from retail to maybe wholesale.) As to concerns on national security and other issues raised by critics of the bill, the DICT secretary said the ICT Department and its attached agency, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), would address it in crafting the measures implementing rules and regulations (IRR) once the bill is signed into law. 'We just have to be very exacting on the specific concerns of the industry. What I was hearing were… one is national security… we hear them and we'll address that with the help of the telcos. Another concern was… spectrum refarming… the NTC will set the specific regulatory [oversight] on frequency allocation,' Aguda said. On PH's dip in Mobile Connectivity Index The DICT chief also emphasized that the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which he said would result in increased competition in the telecoms space, would help in improving the Philippines' ranking in the GSM Association Mobile Connectivity Index. The latest edition of the GSMA's index—which assesses countries' performance on key factors in adopting mobile internet such as infrastructure, affordability, consumer readiness, and content and services— saw the country's score drop by 0.52 to 67.69. Aguda said that 'while this marks a slight decline from the previous year, it serves as a timely reminder of the work that remains in achieving universal, reliable, and affordable digital access for all Filipinos.' 'We see this report not as a setback, but as a guide that reinforces our focus on closing the digital divide, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to have an inclusive and digitally connected Philippines,' he said. The DICT reiterated that the agency is pushing for the passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which he described as a "landmark legislation" that promotes open-access policies, infrastructure sharing among telecommunications providers, and streamlining of permitting processes for broadband rollout. 'By lowering operational barriers and fostering competition, the measure is expected to reduce internet costs by 2028, while accelerating the deployment of high-quality connectivity across urban and rural areas alike,' Aguda said. The ICT Department, he said, is also expanding the Free Wi-Fi for All Program, particularly in remote and underserved communities. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT wants internet service costs down by as much as 50%
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is looking to bring down internet service provider (ISP) costs by as much as 50%, with the expected increase in competition and facility sharing. According to DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, the agency is looking to make internet in the country more affordable, as it targets to bring down ISP costs by 30% to 50%. 'Over time po 'yan (This will be over time). As technology becomes more advanced, the price per megabyte drops. As competition increases and as telcos become more efficient, the price will really drop,' he said during the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Infrastructure Forum in Makati City. Aguda said competition is expected to increase with the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which has been ratified by both chambers of Congress and is now awaiting the President's signature. 'That's one, kasi darating na 'yung mga (because of the arrival of the) third-party providers that go straight to internet services, but we will harmonize it with the current telcos ngayon,' he said. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), a move that removes key filters historically used to evaluate legal, financial, technical, and cybersecurity readiness. Sought for the timeline for the cost reduction, Aguda said that this should come before the end of the administration's term in 2028. 'Before pa dapat yan. Mahirap kasing i-pin it down. You need to mix the price together with the free services that they provide. Confident ako 'yung mga telco magco-compete na eh, so malamang bababa 'yan,' he said. (It should be before (2028). It is quite difficult to pin down. You need to mix the price together with the free services that they provide. I am confident that the telcos will compete, so this will come down.) Moving forward, Aguda said the DICT also targets to increase the government's free wifi access points to 50,000 in 2028 from 15,717 in 2024. 'We are not building just fiber or satellites. We're building a more just, informed, and inclusive republic,' he said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
07-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT targets to create 8M digital jobs by 2028
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) aims to generate 8 million digital jobs in the next three years. On Saturday, the DICT said it had launched the ''Trabahong Digital'' program, which seeks to expand internet connectivity across the country and equip Filipinos with digital skills. 'Driving the digital-first economy will maximize job opportunities and business growth through digital skills empowerment and by providing our people with the tools they need to succeed,' DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said. The DICT expressed confidence in achieving its job creation target by 2028, with the help of active partnerships with the government, academic institutions, and the private sector. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
05-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DICT: Meta agreed to demote Facebook posts which gov't tagged as fake news
"Pumapayag na sila ngayon na kapag CICC o PCO o any duly authorized agency ng gobyerno, kapag nagpadala kami sa kanila na ito po, fake news 'to, they will demote in their feeds," Aguda said. Meta, the company that operates Facebook, has agreed to demote in the social media platform's newsfeeds posts that the Philippine government would flag as fake news, Information and Communication Technology Secretary Henry Aguda told a joint House committee inquiry on Thursday. Addressing a hearing of the House Tri Committee on the proliferation of disinformation online, Aguda said Kumu, Google, and TikTok had agreed in a meeting on Wednesday to comply with whatever the government would say to protect the truth. Aguda said Meta wrote the Department of Information and Communication Technology on Thuesday to inform the agency that it would implement a demotion mechanism on posts that the government would flag as disinformation. "Pumapayag na sila ngayon na kapag CICC o PCO o any duly authorized agency ng gobyerno, kapag nagpadala kami sa kanila na ito po, fake news 'to, they will demote in their feeds," Aguda said. "Meaning, hindi naman totally mawawala pero mababawasan. Malaking bagay po 'yun. And we acknowledge na sumagot is Meta," he added. (Meta has agreed that if the Cybercrime Information and Coordinating Center, the Presidential Communications Office, or any duly authorized agency of the government flags a post as fake news, it will be demoted in the newsfeeds. They won't be removed, but they will be decreased. That is a substantial development. And we acknowledge that Meta responded.) Still, Aguda said the DICT would wish for legislation on disinformation for a proactive approach against fake news. At the hearing, the Presidential Communications Office chief Secretary Jay Ruiz and Aguda proposed that social firms which allow false information to be distributed on their platforms should be penalized. 'When you allow fake news in your platform, dapat may karampatang parusa sa [iyo mula] sa gobyerno. Kasi nga ilaw ang nagpapasok niyan e. Your platform is being used to be a purveyor of ignorance. You allow it,' said Ruiz, a former television reporter. 'As a social media platform, dapat lahat 'yan…dapat nalilinis mo 'yan. With the advent of new technology, deep fakes, artificial internet intelligence, and fake news spread like wildfire. It will reach hundreds of millions in just hours,' he added. Aguda likened the situation to a mall owner who won't allow fraudulent merchants and shops inside its premises. 'A mall won't allow stores which sell fake products inside its premises. So sa akin po, ang responsibility dyan, 'yung platform,' Aguda said. He also said that there was no reason for social media platforms to be spared from regulation because, under existing laws, broadcast contents, including those in journalism platforms, as well as movies and television shows, are regulated by both state-run and private entities. 'The KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster sa Pilipinas) regulate themselves, while MTRCB (Movie and Television Review Classificatio Board (MTRCB) regulated televisin and radio broacast. Social media, on the other hand, has a reach 20 times larger than a normal broadcast,' Aguda said. 'Dapat sila [ang ipenalize] kasi kumikita po sila ng pera pa sa platform na yan. Sila ang mga pinakamayayamang kumpanya sa mundo eh,' he added. –NB, GMA Integrated News
