EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
1598
DATE
T>ME
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BROADBAND INTERNET 
CONNECTION IN UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED AREAS ALL OVER THE
PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 24, Article II of the 1987 Constitution emphasizes the vital role played 
by communication and information in nation-building. And in today's modern world, 
information and communications technology are the emerging drivers of economic 
growth and development. All aspects of our social and economic life are being 
continually and consistently shaped by the Internet and its associated technologies. 
Telehealth, online education, digital commerce and trading, financial technology or 
"fintech" - these are just some of the new and innovative ways of doing things brought 
about by this digital transformation phenomenon.
Unfortunately, the jump to digital is not a luxury available to all. Decent and 
stable internet connectivity remains to be a pipe dream for most of our constituents, 
especially for the poorer households and those living in geographically isolated areas, 
far-away from city centers and urban areas. The current pandemic highlighted this 
existing digital divide. We hear reports that students are deferring returning to school 
because of lack of internet access and technology at their home, among their other 
financial hardships1.
1 https://www.rappler.com/nation/262270-decline-enrollees-students-not-attending-school- 
coronavirus-pandemic


This bill aims to contribute in solving this problem. Under this proposed 
measure, the government shall implement a Last Mile Broadband Internet Connection 
Program wherein, for every mobile phone number subscription, telecommunications 
companies are mandated to set up and establish a facility for broadband internet 
connection in an unserved and underserved city, municipality or barangay. In 
furtherance of the implementation of this program, the National Telecommunications 
Commission (NTC) shall conduct a study to determine the unserved and underserved 
areas all over the country, using factors and parameters deemed relevant in identifying 
such areas.
Through this proposed measure, the vision of having no community in the 
country left behind in terms of internet connectivity will become nearer to being a 
reality.
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.
L "LiTO"^. lap:
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
1598
RECEIVED
-e
¥
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BROADBAND INTERNET 
CONNECTION IN UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED AREAS ALL OVER THE
PHILIPPINES
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 the "Last Mile Broadband 
Internet Connection Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Recognizing that the benefits of modern 
information and communications technology are important to both urban and rurai 
development, the State shall pursue and foster, in an orderly, purposive and vigorous 
manner, the setting up of broadband internet connection in all unserved and 
underserved areas in the country.
SEC. 3. Last Mile Broadband Internet Connection Program. — For every mobile 
phone number subscription, telecommunications companies, operating under a valid 
legislative franchise, are hereby mandated to set up and establish a facility for 
broadband internet connection in an unserved and underserved city, municipality or 
barangay. Compliance to this program shall be reported to and monitored by the


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National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
SEC. 4. Identification of Unserved and Underserved Areas. — Within six (6) 
months from the effectivlty of this Act, the NTC shall conduct a study to determine 
the unserved and underserved areas all over the country, using factors and 
parameters deemed relevant In Identifying such areas.
SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the Implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations of the year following Its 
enactment into law and thereafter.
SEC. 8. Impiementing Ruies andReguiations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivlty of this Act, the Department of Information and Communications Technology 
(DICT), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and other relevant 
government agencies, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement 
the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 9. Repealing Ciause. - 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.
SEC. 10. Separabiiity Ciause. - 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.
SEC. 11. Effectivity. — 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,