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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES | pate: 30 JUN 2018
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES | on
Quezon City, Metro Manila Tue: /fc/0

BY:

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS REGISTRATION UNIT

First Regular Session

HOUSE QF REPRESENTATIVES

BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

House Bill No. 660

Introduced by Kabataan Party-list Representative Sarah Jane |. Elago

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XVI, Section 10 of the Philippine Constitution states:

"The State shall provide the policy environment or the full development of
Filipino capability and the emergence of communication structure suitable to
the needs and aspirations of the nation and the balanced flow of information
into, out of, and across the country, in accordance with a policy that respects
the freedom of speech and of the press,"

In June 2011, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the
right of freedom of opinion and expression issued a report to the United Nations
Human Rights Council, which states: “Given that the Internet has become an
indispensable tool for realizing a range of human rights, combating inequality, and
accelerating development and human progress, ensuring universal access to the
Internet should be a priority for all States."

The Internet has made an enormous impact on the economic, socio-cultural
and political spheres of human development. The Internet facilitates faster
communication among and between citizens and institutions. Business transactions
are now faster with online banking and trading; getting a degree over the Internet is
now possible with distance learning education programs; people may now avail of
certain public services, and monitor the implementation of government programs
online

The Free Public Wi-Fi Act seeks to move government one step forward in
providing democratic access to the Internet. Notwithstanding the issue of the mass
accessibility and availability of personal electronic devices that people have to use in
order to access public networks, government has to recognize that the Internet is an


important mechanism in delivering some of its services, and a valuable tool for
people's participation in governance and in democracy. One way to foster this
democratic participation is by at least provide the people access to the Internet in
many, if not all, of our government buildings and public establishments.

HON. SARAI NE |. ELAGO
Representative/Kabataan Party-list


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

660

House Bill No.

Introduced by Kabataan Party-list Representative Sarah Jane I. Elago

AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE PUBLIC WIRELESS INTERNET ACESSIBILITY IN NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MUNICIPAL HALLS AND PROVINCIAL CAPITOLS,
STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, PUBLIC PARKS AND PLAZAS, PUBLIC
HOSPITALS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORATION TERMINALS BY INSTALLING
WIRELESS INTERNET CONNECTIONS IN THEIR BUILDINGS, AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREOF

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 the “Free Public Wi-fi
Act.”

SECTION 2. Installation of Wireless Internet Connections. — Wireless internet
connection shall, as far as practicable, be installed and be made available in buildings
of all national government offices including its regional and satellite offices, in
municipal halls and in provincial capitols, in state universities and colleges, in public
parks and plazas, in public hospitals and in public transportation terminals such as
airports and public bus stations.

SECTION 3. Internet Service Provider. — The Department of Science and

Technology (DOST) shall, as far as practicable, provide the internet connectivity
necessary to comply with the provisions of this Act. Only in cases where the DOST is.
technically unable to provide internet connectivity shall the administration or

management of a government office, state university or college, public park, public


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hospital or public transportation terminal concerned avail of the services of commercial
internet service providers.

SECTION 4. Wi-fi Access. — No restrictions, in the form of passwords and other
similar mechanisms, shall be imposed with regard to access to the free public wi-fi
network. Only in cases where there is a clear and present security or technical risk
that cannot be remedied through normal technical solutions shall the administration or
management of a government office, state university or college, public park, public
hospital or public transportation terminal limit access to the network through the use
of passwords, which shall be easily provided to the public upon request by individuals.
No fee may be charged for access to the free public wi-fi network.

SECTION 5. Places of Access. - At the minimum, government offices, state
universities and colleges, public hospitals and public transportation terminals shall
ensure that access to the free public wi-fi network is available at the main lobbies and
main hallways of each distinct and separate publicly-accessible building in government
offices, state universities and colleges, public hospitals and public transportation
terminals and at the main assembly points in a public park or plaza.

SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. - The Commission on Information and
Communications Technology shall be the lead agency in charge of ensuring the
implementation of this Act. It shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for
the effective implementation of this Act, and will ikewise ensure compliance therewith.
It shall also formulate project proposals that will ensure that the government can fully
provide for itself the technology and infrastructure necessary to comply with the Act.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation
of this Act shall be incorporated in the annual General Appropriations Act

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,