Bongbong Marcos’ order will cut red tape in telecom infrastructure, says group

POWER RANGERS Linemen replace cable on electric posts along United Nations Avenue in Manila in this June 2022 photo.  —INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines on Friday said the Executive Order (EO) seeking to streamline the construction of telecommunications and internet infrastructure should boost the country’s digital infrastructure.

In a statement, CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor Tim Abejo lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ signing of the order last July 4.

“EO 32 is a responsive policy move that will hopefully cut out [the] unnecessary bureaucratic red tape that has delayed the building of telecommunications infrastructure needed to deliver faster and reliable broadband services for all,” said Abejo.

He pointed out that the Philippines should not have “spotty and uneven” internet access if Filipinos want an innovative digital workforce.

“Full and immediate implementation of the EO will sustain the country’s initial gains in digitalization and will allow more Filipinos to become digitally empowered,” Abejo noted.

He also said the order addressed the administrative bottleneck of securing permits for telecom projects.

“We hope that EO 32 will push all the ongoing digital infrastructure projects, such as the DICT’s long-delayed Luzon Bypass Infrastructure Project and the cable landing stations of the 12,800-kilometer Pacific Light Cable Network that, when activated, will lower the cost and improve the speed of broadband services,” Abejo said.

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