Latest news with #KonektadongPinoyBill
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GMA Network
7 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Groups still apprehensive of Konektadong Pinoy amid DICT assurance
Groups continue to express apprehension on Konektadong Pinoy Bill despite assurance from the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Citizens Crime Watch Internationale said it is skeptical about the merits of the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, saying its unintended consequence may spur the proliferation of online gaming or e-gambling. Scam Watch Pilipinas, on the other hand, said the bill may spur cyber fraud and weaken the country's digital security. CCWI founder and national chairman Michelle Botor said that beyond the national security risks is a potential surge in access to online gambling platforms, which can be inadvertently fueled by the bill. 'Without robust vetting and filtering mechanisms in place, the legislation may provide unregulated e-gaming operators with easier market entry through new, unmonitored digital infrastructure,' Botor said. 'The Konektadong Pinoy legislation seeks to connect more Filipinos to internet, but if cybersecurity is treated as an afterthought, it also opens the door to serious threats - particularly from unregulated online gambling platforms,' she added. She noted that such platforms are increasingly being used to lure people into fraudulent schemes, contributing to a rise in digital addiction, debt, and the involvement of minors in illegal gambling activities. She argued that with greater digital reach and weak filters, the KPB, if enacted into law could unintentionally normalize gambling behavior among youth and vulnerable sectors of the population. For its part, the Scam Watch Pilipinas said that while it supports the bill's goal of expanding nationwide internet access and modernizing the country's digital infrastructure, it warns that several provisions may inadvertently expose the Philippines to escalating risks involving cybersecurity, and data privacy breaches. Cybersecurity stakeholders earlier urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to address the cybersecurity risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is now awaiting the signature of the country's chief executive to become a law. In a statement Tuesday, the DICT said it welcomes the public dialogue surrounding the measure, which is now awaiting the President's signature. It 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 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 added. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT defends Konektadong Pinoy Act, welcomes dialogue
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday addressed several issues concerning the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, saying it welcomes the public dialogue surrounding the measure, which is now awaiting the President's signature. 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
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Cybersecurity groups urge Marcos to ensure safeguards in Konektadong Pinoy Act
Cybersecurity stakeholders urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to address the cybersecurity risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is now awaiting the signature of the country's chief executive to become a law. 'We understand that the Konektadong Pinoy Bill is already awaiting the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,' Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP), Scam Watch Pilipinas, BPO Security Council, PhilDev S&T Foundation, and the Philippines CIO Association said in a joint statement on Tuesda 'However, we firmly believe that cybersecurity safeguards must still be addressed,' the cybersecurity groups said. ISPs In particular, the groups flagged a provision in the bill which 'allows new internet service providers (ISPs) to operate for up to three years without full compliance with cybersecurity and data privacy regulations.' 'This grace period, written into the law, cannot be undone or corrected by the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). It opens a dangerous window that hackers, scammers, and potentially even state-sponsored actors could exploit — threatening the security of critical infrastructure and sensitive citizen data,' the groups said. With this, the cybersecurity stakeholders called on Marcos to ensure the safeguards are addressed, 'whether through a veto with recommendations, immediate amendments post-enactment, or complementary executive actions.' The groups recommended the following safeguards: Remove the three-year grace period and require that all Data Transmission Industry Participants (DTIPs) and related entities comply with stringent cybersecurity and data protection controls upon engagement, aligned with global standards and practices Mandate a comprehensive risk assessment approach that considers cybersecurity, privacy, technology architecture, geopolitical concerns, and economic viability — especially for providers with foreign ownership or control Explicitly require national security and cybersecurity vetting for all prospectiv infrastructure providers involved in building or operating critical data infrastructure Include clear penalties for negligence leading to breaches of critical infrastructure, subject to investigation by regulatory agencies 'We recognize the value of a well-crafted IRR, but rules and regulations cannot compensate for omissions in the law itself,' the groups said. 'By embedding these essential safeguards into the legislation, it will align the bill with existing Philippine cybersecurity and data privacy laws, ensuring that our nation's digital infrastructure is protected from evolving threats that could compromise our sovereignty and long-term digital future,' they added. Telcos In particular, the groups flagged a provision in the bill that 'allows new internet service providers (ISPs) to operate for up to three years without full compliance with cybersecurity and data privacy regulations.' PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of the 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). The cybersecurity groups, meanwhile, said they support the measure's aim of expanding internet access and modernizing the country's digital infrastructure. However, they said that 'we are concerned that certain provisions may unintentionally expose the Philippines to heightened cyber threats — unless stronger safeguards are embedded directly into the law.' 'The bill also appears to ease the entry of entities — including foreign-controlled firms —into building highly sensitive infrastructure such as international cable landing stations and satellite gateways,' the groups said. 'Without a legally mandated national security vetting process, the IRR alone cannot provide the level of scrutiny and accountability required,' they added. Data access Cybersecurity stakeholders, meanwhile, noted that such raises the risk of unauthorized data access or disruptions to national infrastructure. 'Given the strategic nature of these assets, we strongly recommend that the law explicitly mandate both national security and cybersecurity vetting for all prospective infrastructure providers, regardless of origin,' the groups said. 'This would help ensure transparency, protect national interests, and uphold the integrity of our digital infrastructure —without unnecessarily discouraging investment or international cooperation. Yes, the bill seeks to connect more Filipinos — but if cybersecurity is treated as an afterthought, it also opens the door to serious threats,' they said. Technology industry groups —Global AI Council Philippines, the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, the Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines, the Data Center Association of the Philippines, the Fintech Philippines Association, and Go Digital Philippines— threw support for the Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying it can "help close the country's connectivity gap." Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda is also backing the passage into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower the cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. —VAL, 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
