A Legislative Agenda for a Future-Ready Philippines
November 19, 2024
The Philippines urgently needs to modernize its outdated telecommunications and ICT laws. Our legal framework is based on two obsolete laws: the 1931 Radio Control Act and the 1995 Public Telecommunications Act.
These laws were created before the rise of the Internet and mobile data, and are not fit for purpose. They prevent new companies from entering the market, limit competition, and hold back the Philippines from thriving in the global digital economy. Moreover, they fail to provide our regulatory body, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), with the resources and independence needed to oversee a fair, innovative, and secure telecommunications environment.
The consequences of these outdated laws are far-reaching and impact our entire society and economy:
Inhibited Foreign Investment and Economic Growth: Outdated regulations discourage foreign investment, stifling economic potential and job creation. The Philippines is at risk of falling behind other ASEAN nations with more favorable digital environments.
Stagnant Innovation and Technology Adoption: Barriers to fully explore and exploit advanced and emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and digital payments prevent the Philippines from leveraging digital innovation across industries.
Widening Digital Divide and Inequality: Rural and low-income communities lack access to affordable, reliable connectivity, deepening socio-economic disparities and affecting education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Reduced Consumer Protection and Increased Security Risks: Current laws do not adequately address cybersecurity or data privacy, leaving consumers vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.
Environmental and Sustainability Challenges: Without policies for sustainable ICT practices, the country is unprepared to handle issues such as electronic waste and energy inefficiencies in digital infrastructure.
Diminished Global and Regional Reputation: The Philippines risks being perceived as a "digital backwater," which could limit our appeal to tech talent and investors and weaken our influence within ASEAN.
Without a comprehensive overhaul, these problems will only worsen. The duopoly in the sector will remain entrenched, rural communities will stay disconnected, and the country will continue to fall behind its neighbors in digital competitiveness and innovation.
This issue must be a priority in the 2025 elections. The Philippines needs leaders who are committed to a forward-looking reform agenda for telecommunications and ICT.
The Konektadong Pinoy bill presently awaiting interpellations and approval by the Senate is a good start, if it ever passes.
Still, it should only be the start, and its passage if ever should just signal a more serious push from our policymakers for more holistic reform. Piecemeal adjustments won’t be enough. The rapid advancements in technology—from 5G to AI and digital finance—require a regulatory approach that is agile, robust, and future-ready.
I would propose three new cornerstone laws, all of which should be pushed as a collective package:
A New Radiocommunications Law to replace the 1931 Radio Control Act, empowering the NTC to manage spectrum transparently, efficiently, and competitively, and maximizing benefits for the public and the government.
A New Telecommunications Law to replace the 1995 Public Telecommunications Act, opening up the market to new players, promoting innovation, and allowing policies to adapt to new technologies.
An NTC Modernization Law to equip the NTC with the independence, resources, and expertise needed to regulate a dynamic market, attract top talent, and ensure fair oversight free from undue influence.
This reform effort requires not just broad support across government, industry, and civil society, but the clear and unequivocal of Malacañang and the real decision makers of Congress.
It already takes a monumental amount of political will and commitment to pass just one law, much less three. But, precisely because of the above described impact of reform, and consequences of inaction, the times call for an embrace of this high ambition, and an unflinching commitment to a comprehensiveness in approach.
The 2025 elections are a pivotal moment. The Philippines must elect leaders ready to prioritize digital transformation, guide the country toward a competitive digital future, and unify us toward a prosperous, connected, and future-ready nation.
Candidates must show their commitment to digital reform now, signaling to voters that they understand what must be done to provide the Philippines with a resilient, inclusive digital economy.