EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1990
INDEX
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapld
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION 
PROGRAM IN ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO SAVE COSTS AND 
ACCELERATE THE DEPLOYMENT OF INTERNET CONNECTIVITY 
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In today's world, internet connectivity is an important aspect of education, 
entrepreneurship, communication, work and of almost every activity of daily life. 
Internet connectivity is a necessity. In fact, the internet Is a very essential service that 
it has become a factor for economic development. In a January 2019 Asia Foundation 
publication1, it was reported that a "10% increase in broadband penetration is 
correlated with a 1.35% increase in GDP for developing countries." The Department 
of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) acknowledged the importance 
of internet connectivity in the "National Broadband Plan"2 as it noted the benefits that 
can be reaped from investing in this area - economic transformation, productive 
efficiency, improved public administration and service delivery, social inclusion, among 
others.
The government must therefore provide a policy and regulatory environment 
conducive for the realization of internet connectivity for all. This bill intends to 
contribute to this goal.
1 https://asiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CfC-Reform-Story-ll-Improving- 
Intemet-Access-in-the-Philippines.pdf
2 https://dict.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017.08.09-National-Broadband-Plan.pdf


This proposed measure aims to establish the Internet Infrastructure Integration 
program in the Department of Pubiic Works and Highways (DPWH). This program Is 
designed to reduce the cost and accelerate the deployment of internet connectivity by 
minimizing the number and scale of repeated excavations for the instaliation and 
maintenance of internet infrastructure in rights-of-way. The DPWH Is mandated to 
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, etc., which shall be utilized for the inclusion or integration of internet 
infrastructure such as fiber-optic cabie installation during the construction of said 
projects using the same rights-of-way. This program is envisioned as an efficient and 
cost-saving way of providing internet connectivity particularly to unserved and 
underserved areas. Through this, installation may happen simultaneous or side-by- 
side with the road construction. Unnecessary and repeated excavations and 
construction works will be avoided which, as experience reveals, cause total or partial 
road closures and traffic build-up. To encourage private sector participation, the 
DPWH, in coordination with the DICT and the National Telecommunications 
Commission (NTC), shall establish a system for the notification, coordination and 
participation of broadband providers, internet service providers and 
telecommunications companies in this program, subject to the payment of reasonable 
fees and other terms and conditions that the DPWH deems necessary and appropriate.
This bill institutionalizes Into law and provides for the operationalization of the 
"Dig Once" policy3 mentioned in the National Broadband Plan which similarly aims to 
"minimize road disruptions and enhance cost-efficiencies."
Through this program, our government will be building not only physical roads 
and streets, but as well as the highways of Internet connectivity, the backbone of a 
digital Philippines.
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.
Senator
Id. at page 35


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1990
ECf
202im
DATE
TH.it
NOEX
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRATION 
PROGRAM IN ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO SAVE COSTS AND 
ACCELERATE THE DEPLOYMENT OF INTERNET CONNECTIVITY 
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Internet Infrastructure 
Integration Act"
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is 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 laying down 
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


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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
b) 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.
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, etc., which shall be 
covered by the program and shall be utilized for the integration of internet 
infrastructure in their implementation. This program entails the inclusion or integration 
of internet Infrastructure such as fiber-optic cable installation during the construction 
of any government road Infrastructure project using the same right-of-way. Priority 
shall be given to 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 notification, coordination and participation of broadband providers, 
internet service providers, telecommunications companies and similar private entitles 
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.


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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. Effectivity 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,