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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 3 pATE:TEB 01
Quezon City + TIME:__lod0am

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 8589

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

We currently live in a digital era wherein almost everyone can access internet through handheld
devices. With the technological advancements in the recent years, people can access a vast pool
of information within just a few clicks. As such, internet has become a very essential service for
education, entrepreneurship, communication, work and almost all transactions in our day-to-day
lives. Truly, internet has the potential to influence economic growth and social change. It allows
for transformation in workplaces towards cost-efficient transactions and processes. Philippines,
however, lags behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of accessibility and speeds. The
COVID-19 pandemic exemplified the country’s inadequate capacity for heavier usage. Since the
implementation of strict quarantine measures in Metro Manila and later on Luzon, there have
been numerous complaints of slow internet speeds from users due to a sudden spike in intemet
usage due to work-from-home setups and online classes. As such, there is really the need to
issues such as these which impede Filipinos from accessing this essential service.

Considering the importance of internet connectivity to a nation’s economic growth, there is the
need to accelerate the deployment of internet infrastructure which would allow for greater
internet accessibility or connectivity. This measure provides for the integration of internet
infrastructure to all government road infrastructure projects in order to use the same rights-of-
way and reduce unnecessary and repeated excavations for the laying down of cables, wires, and
similar facilities and materials. The Department of Public works and Highways shall be responsible
for identifying existing and planned road infrastructure projects covered by the program and shall
be utilized for the integration of internet infrastructure (such as fiber-optic cable installation, etc.)
in their implementation.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approvai of the said measure is earnestiy sought.

nue RAS. ‘ld

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

8
HOUSE BILL NO. 589

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION PROGRAM IN
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO SAVE COSTS AND ACCELERATE
DEPLOYMENT OF INTERNET CONNECTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as “Internet Infrastructure Integration Act”.

Section 2. Dec/aration of Policy. — Its hereby declared as the policy of the State to accelerate
the provision of internet connectivity in the entire country in an efficient and cost-saving manner.
Pursuant to this, internet infrastructure must be integrated in all government road infrastructure
projects in order to use the same rights-of-way and reduce unnecessary and repeated excavations
for the lay of cables, wires, and similar facilities and materials,

Section 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall be defined as
follows:

a) Internet Infrastructure - means any buried or underground facility and any wireless or
wireline connection that enables the provision of internet connectivity, such as fiber-optic
cables and any similar technology that may be developed in the future; and
Internet Infrastructure Integration- a requirement designed to reduce the cost and
accelerate the deployment of internet connectivity by minimizing the number and scale of
repeated excavations for the installation and maintenance of internet infrastructure in
rights-of-way, especially to unserved and underserved areas in the country.

b)

Section 4. Internet Infrastructure Integration Program. - The Internet Infrastructure
Integration Program is hereby established under the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH). The DPWH shall identify existing and planned road Infrastructure projects such as, but
not limited to, farm-to-market roads, local and national roads, bridges, road widening, road
maintenance, et. which shall be covered bythe program and shall be uilzed forthe integration
of i is program entails the inclusion or integration
stallation during the construction of any

cable
government road Infrastructure project using the same right-of-way. Priority shall be given to

of internet Infrastructure such as “fiber-opti



unserved and underserved areas, as determined by the Department of Information and
‘Communications Technology (DICT).

Section 5. Private Sector Participation. - The DPWH, in coordination with the DICT and the
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), shall establish a system for the notation,
coordination and participation of broadband providers, internet service _ providers,
telecommunications companies and similar private ae in this program, subject to the
payment of reasonable fees and other terms and conditions that the DPWH deems necessary and
appropriate.

Section 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations for the year following its enactment into law
and thereafter.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DPWH, DICT, NTC and other relevant government agencies and
stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this
Act.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 9. Separability Cause. — If any provision or part of this Act, or the application thereof
to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act shall
not be affected thereby.

Section 10. Fffectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,

Approved,