NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1039
of tlje n ctin7>
*22 NOV 23 P6 *18
RECEIVED B'';
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7925, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PUBLIC 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES", BY 
REQUIRING PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTITIES AND INTERNET 
SERVICE PROVIDERS TO INSTITUTE A REFUND MECHANISM FOR SERVICE 
OUTAGES AND DISRUPTIONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II Section 24 of the Philippine Constitution states that, "The State 
recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building." In line 
with this. Republic Act No. 7925, or the "Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the 
Philippines", was enacted into law in 1995 to ensure a "viable, efficient, reliable and 
universal telecommunication infrastructure."
The various industries and sectors in the country, as in the rest of the world, 
operate and function with the aid of telecommunications, which was further enhanced 
with the use of the internet. With this, processes, systems and procedures are made 
faster, easier, more efficient, and interconnected.
The importance of reliable connectivity through internet and telecommunication 
networks cannot be emphasized more during these times that we are experiencing 
COVID-19 pandemic. Limitations on physical contact to prevent the spread of the 
virus drove us to rely more on the internet and various telecommunication channels 
in our work and in education.
However, years after the passage of Republic Act No. 7925, our countrymen 
are still grappling for stable, fast and reliable and affordable connection. As of March 
2021, Speediest Global Index ranked the Philippines as 86th out of 140 countries and


81st out 177 countries in mobile and fixed broadband speed, respectively. This was 
confirmed by the Philippines Digital Economy Report published in September 2020 by 
The World Bank, "A Better Normal Under COVID-19: Digitalizing the Philippine 
Economy Now", which stated that our country lags most regional peers in high-speed 
fixed and mobile broadband penetration. Moreover, the study reveals that connecting 
to the internet in our country is expensive compared to our neighboring countries.
While the government is addressing these perennial challenges with the 
cooperation of industry stakeholders, users have to bear with the low quality and high 
cost of internet and communication connection that is available. Alongside this is the 
service interruptions, which are either scheduled or not, brought about by system 
upgrade, maintenance work, infrastructure repairs, and others. The duration of such 
varies from hours to days. Similarly, its affected areas range from a single block to a 
number of cities. Because of these, the businesses, work and classes are likewise 
interrupted while the consumers continue to pay for their subscription despite 
unavailability of connection.
Such interruptions are beyond the control of the consumers and undeniably 
adversely affect their productivity and daily lives. It is, therefore, proper to return to 
them the payment they have made for the day or days they were not able to access 
the services of their provider.
This measure proposes to amend Republic Act No. 7925 to require internet 
service providers and public telecommunications entities to provide pro-rated refund 
or bill adjustment for both their prepaid and postpaid subscribers who were affected 
by service outages and interruptions.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR,


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1539
Senate
of tiH' feff.'rtarv
*22 NOV 23 P6:18
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7925, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PUBLIC 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES", BY 
REQUIRING PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTITIES AND INTERNET 
SERVICE PROVIDERS TO INSTITUTE A REFUND MECHANISM FOR SERVICE 
OUTAGES AND DISRUPTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Refund for Internet
2 
and Telecommunications Service Outages and Disruptions Act'.
3 
Sec. 2. A new Section 20-A is hereby added to Republic Act No. 7925, otherwise
4 
known as the "Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines", to read as
5 
follows:
6 
"SEC. 20-1. REFUNDS FOR INTERNET AND
7 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE OUTAGES AND
8 
INTERRUPTIONS. 
- 
(A) 
PUBLIC
9 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
ENTITIES, 
INCLUDING
10 
INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS (ISPS), SHALL, ON A
11 
PRORATED BASIS, PROVIDE A REFUND CREDIT TO A
12 
CUSTOMER, OR ADJUST A CUSTOMER'S BILL, WHO
13 
HAS EXPERIENCED A 
SERVICE 
OUTAGE OR
14 
DISRUPTION FOR AN 
AGGREGATE PERIOD OF
15 
TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS OR MORE - WITHIN A
16 
MONTH. 
THE ISPS AND PUBLIC
17 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
ENTITIES 
CONCERNED


1 
SHALL NOT REQUIRE THE CUSTOMER TO TAKE ANY
2 
ACTION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A REFUND CREDIT OR
3 
BILL ADJUSTMENT UNDER THIS SECTION; (B) THE
4 
REFUND CREDIT GRANTED UNDER THE
5 
CIRCUMSTANCES MENTIONED ABOVE SHALL
6 
LIKEWISE BE GRANTED TO CUSTOMERS
7 
SUBSCRIBING TO A SERVICE ON A PREPAID BASIS."
8 
Sec. 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
9 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
10 
affected shall remain in full force and effect.
11 
Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
12 
parts thereof contrary to, or inconsistent with, this Act are hereby repealed or
13 
amended accordingly.
14 
Sec. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
15 
publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation
16 
in the Philippines.
Approved,