NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
SENATE
Senate
of tiio
•22 JUL 14 AlO SO
RECEIVED BV:
S. B. NO.
75
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT MANDATING PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTITIES 
TO DISCLOSE SERVICE COVERAGE DATA TO THE PUBLIC
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced individuals, businesses, the public sector, 
and other groups to rely heavily on technology in their daily activities. Distance 
learning, for instance, has become the norm in the educational sector. Meetings have 
been scheduled and done through the use of online platforms, such as Zoom, Webex, 
and Microsoft Teams, among others. Most people have also resorted to the use of 
Netflix and other video streaming platforms as a means of entertainment.
The need for connectivity has catalyzed telecommunications companies to roll 
out new products and services, including promises of greater and better services. 
However, their participation has not yet materialized into extensive coverage for all, 
especially those in far-flung areas.
This bill ultimately seeks to increase connectivity in the country by providing 
readily-available data with regard the coverage of public telecommunications entities 
in the country. The proposed mandatory disclosure of coverage data will provide useful 
information to policymakers, private sector players, and other interested stakeholders, 
and understand the roadmap of connectivity, as well as the strengths and weaknesses 
of each telecommunications entity in their area.


This bill aims to institutionalize a worldwide practice wherein 
telecommunications companies are mandated to release their coverage maps to the 
public so that the public will be aided in making their decision on what provider to 
choose. The disclosure of coverage data will also help decisionmakers to use limited 
resources to prioritize underserved and unserved areas.
Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 575
Senate
of jscartarj^
72 JUL14 A10 50
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT MANDATING PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
ENTITIES TO DISCLOSE SERVICE COVERAGE DATA TO THE
PUBLIC
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines In 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the 
“Telecommunications Coverage Data Disclosure Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote 
a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity of the nation and 
free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social 
services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved 
quality of life for all. Towards these ends, the use of technology and increased 
connectivity for all citizens shall be encouraged.
SEC. 3. Mandatory Disclosure of Coverage Data. - All public 
telecommunications entities, including internet service providers, operating in 
the Philippines shall be required to disclose and publish on their respective 
websites their coverage data as provided under Section 4 of this Act, without 
prejudice to the provisions of Section 5 of this Act; Provided, That any change 
in the coverage data shall be made publicly available and posted on their 
websites within two (2) weeks from the date of such change; Provided, further, 
That in all cases, the coverage data shall be updated annually.
SEC. 4. Data Subject of Mandatory Disclosure. -
a. A publicly accessible map online that depicts the availability and 
scope of mobile and fixed broadband internet access service 
and/or mobile telecommunications services within the territorial


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jurisdiction of the Philippines; and
b. A specification of the network or internet type (GSM, 3G, 4G, LTE, 
5G, etc.) used in the geographical region.
SEC. 5. Indexing System. - The Department of Information and 
Communications Technology (DICT) shall create a unified indexing system of 
data released by public telecommunications entities under a singular platform. 
The platform shall include, but not be limited, to:
a. 
A display of the geographical coverage of internet and 
telecommunications services in the Philippines;
b. 
Crowdsourcing facilities that allow third party users to submit 
information on coverage of telecommunications and internet 
services; and
c. 
Other information that will provide the public with knowledge of 
the telecommunications and internet coverage in the Philippines.
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DICT, in 
consultation with relevant agencies and other stakeholders, shall promulgate 
and issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within thirty (30) 
days from its effectivity.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
deemed repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate 
other parts of this Act, which shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,