President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2023 PMA alumni homecoming on Feb. 18, 2023. INQUIRER file photo / RAY ZAMBRANO
MANILA, Philippines — Consumer advocacy groups called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to accelerate the expansion of the country’s digital infrastructure by issuing an Executive Order (EO).
“In fact, the EO should cover not only digital infrastructure, but also land, air, and maritime transport, and even energy infrastructure,” said BK3 co-convenor Louie Montemar in a statement.
According to Montemar, the said EO is pivotal in removing “bureaucratic bottlenecks” which hinder the Philippine economy’s potential for development.
Citizenwatch co-convener and former Congressman Christopher “Kit” Belmonte, for his part, said that the proposed EO should consolidate and harmonize existing plans and programs that were previously siloed.
“The ordinary consumer will greatly benefit from the opportunities and productivity of digital technologies, but these benefits should be accessible to all Filipinos on a nationwide scale,” Belmonte said.
Meanwhile, Citizenwatch co-convenor Tim Abejo, said the participation of the private sector through the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) will be central to the building of digital infrastructure.
“It is good to know that industry leaders in the infrastructure sector are not just supporting, but actively taking part in the infrastructure programs of the administration,” he said.
“The government should capitalize on this initiative by the business community to share their expertise for the purpose of nation building.”
The consumer groups pointed out that the Philippines ranked 48th out of the 63 economies in the 2022 annual global competitiveness report of the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Yearbook — the country continuing to be second-to-last in Asia-Pacific in the past five years.
“The sorry state of our infrastructure has definitely held us back,” said Belmonte.
“We have not been able to attract as much investment as we’d like. This is capital not coming in, capital that should be invigorating our industries and creating millions of jobs for our young and skilled workforce,” he added.
Because of this, Belmonte explained that the country pales, in comparison to other countries, in attracting and keeping precious investments.
With the country’s state in mind, Abejo explained that the EO would gain much from the Republic Act 11494 or “Bayanihan to Recover Act,” specifically, from pertinent provision Section 4 under the following:
- “Undertaking measures in partnership with appropriate internet and communication service providers in the acceleration of the deployment of critical Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure” and authorizing measures for the “Temporary suspension of requirements to secure permits and clearances for the construction of telecommunications and internet infrastructure;”
- “Streamlining of regulatory processes and procedures for the development and improvement of digital, internet and satellite technology infrastructure;”
- and directing all government agencies and LGUs to “act on all pending and new applications for permit, license, certificate, clearance, authorization and resolutions within a non-extendable period of seven (7) working days.”
Belmonte then recalled that the Private Sector Advisory Council and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) had already earlier called on Malacañang to issue an EO to improve the processes of establishing telecommunication towers and other related infrastructure.
“The objective would be to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and speed up the release of permits and licenses.”
Montemar then further added that improved digital infrastructure would enable the country to thrive.
“The key to that is a robust digital infrastructure that attracts investments and elevates the people’s capability, income capacity, and living conditions,” said Montemar.
“The government should empower our digital savvy people to unleash their potential instead of losing our ICT professionals to foreign economies,” he added.
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