SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Fist Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 2232 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
'14 
MAY 19 P 3 :34 
PROVIDING 
FREE 
PUBLIC 
WIRELESS 
INTERNET 
ACCESS 
IN 
PUBLIC 
BUILDINGS, PARKS, AND NATIONAL ROADS IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 
REGION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Explanatory Note 
The National Capital Region (NCR) has been ranked the 2nd best outsourcing destination 
in the world after Bangalore, India.! The Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing 
(IT-BPO) sector remains vibrant and progressive, signaling the importance of the Ihternet in the 
Philippine capital and the economy. 
However, wireless internet connection is difficult to locate and acquire. Of the ten 
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-states, the Philippines' Internet 
Speed for 2014 of3.6 mbps, in contrast to Singapore's 61.0 mbps, ranks lowest in the ASEAN.2 
This is a clear reflection of the low priority given to broadband internet infrastructure in the 
country. 
Despite having a Philippine Digital Strategy (PDS) 2011 - 2016, the establishment of a 
broadband internet infrastructure policy for the Philippines, which could mean internet for all, 
seems to have been pushed back with regard to importance. 
In line with the goal of the PDS to establish a Universal Access and Service Fund 
(UASF), a financing instrwnent that can be sourced from the Spectrum User Fees (SUF) of the 
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), this bill proposes that the sums necessary to 
implement the broadband infrastructure shall be automatically appropriated out of the SUF of 
NTC. The SUF accounts for a significant amount of the agency's revenue and reverts to the 
National Treasury. 
This bill recognizes the vital role of communication and information in national 
development and thus, provides for free public wireless internet access in public buildings, parks, 
and national roads in NCR. 
Similar to the relevance of roads and bridges in stimulating economic activity and in 
fueling the Philippine economy, so too is the effect of a broadband infrastructure. Connectivity to 
the internet will enhance business growth opportunities and will assure citizens in NCR ease of 
sourcing timely information at the click of a button. 
For the Philippines to further establish itself as an emerging economy, a public broadband 
internet infrastructure must be in place beginning with NCR. Providing free internet access to 
public buildings and facilities in the national capital will also ensure that our growing labor force 
12014 Tholons Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations: Regional Overview 
2 ASEAN DNA ASEAN Average Internet Speed Index 2014 


i 
will be updated with employment opportunities. Free wireless internet connection will ensure 
that the populace-beginning in the capital-will be equipped with and honed to using key 
faculties needed to build an innovative, progressive, and rapidly digitizing economy. 
Allowing free wireless internet access in key public places in NCR means providing 
access to the underserved in our society, including getting low-income people online. 
Connectivity must be provided to residents and visitors of the capital, providing them access to 
critical information anytime-from educational information for students in our public schools, 
traffic situations and alternative routes for motorists plying the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue 
(EDSA) and other national highways, latest weather advisories disseminated through social 
media, prime commodity price fluctuations such as that of oil and gas, updates on government 
services such as issuances of documents, to transparency initiatives of the government. 
In light ofthe foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
o 
IFMAP 


i 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Fist Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 2232 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
Sl"twtl' 
{g}t'fl;t; tlf HIi' j.rtTrhlf~ 
"14 
MAY 19 P 3 :34 
RECEIVEU BY; .. _ ... t.~ 
PROVIDING 
FREE 
PlUBLIC 
WIRELESS 
INTERNET ACCESS 
IN 
PUBLIC 
BUILDINGS, PARKS, AND NATIONAL ROADS IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 
REGION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Metro Manila WiFi Act 
2 
of2014". 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy and Objectives. - The State shall give priority to science 
4 
and technology to accelerate social progress and promote human development. The State shall 
5 
encourage the participation of private groups, local governments, and community-based 
6 
organizations in the generation and utilization of science and technology for national 
7 
development. 
8 
In recognition of the vital role of communication and information in nation-building, the 
9 
State shall stimulate a policy environment for the development of communication structures 
10 
suitable to the needs and aspirations of the nation. The State shall also stimulate a flow of 
11 
information into, out of, and across the countly. 
12 
As such, it shall provide a broadband internet infrastructure that shall be established for 
13 
tlje benefit of individuals beginning in the Nation Capital Region (NCR). 
14 
SEC. 3. Wireless Internet Connection in Select Areas in the NCR - The government 
15 
shall provide public buildings, parks, and national roads in NCR with broadband hotspots that 
16 
will offer a stable internet connection, thereby encouraging discourse and trade in internet-
17 
related goods, services, and content. 
18 
Areas that will be provided with broadband hotpots in NCR shall include, but not 
19 
limited to the following: 
20 
A. All national and local government offices; 
21 
B. Public health centers and hospitals; 
22 
C. Public Elementary and High Schools, and State Colleges and Universities; 
23 
D. Public Parks; 
24 
E. Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Tenninals I, II, III, and IV); 
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F. Public Libraries; 
G. Tollways and Expressways (North Luzon Exressway, South Luzon Expressway, 
Metro Manila Skyway, and Manila-Cavite Expressway); 
H. Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and other national roads; 
1. 
Public transport terminals; 
J. Port of Manila; and 
K. Rail Transit Stations (LRT Line 1, MRT Line 2, MRT Line 3, and PNR Southrail). 
SEC. 4. Access to Wireless Internet Connection. - Within a period of two (2) years, all 
public spaces and national roads in NCR as stipulated in this Act shall be ensured a range of 
broadband hotspots. Internet connection to any of the broadband hotspots in the designated 
public spaces shall not be restricted with passwords. No fees shall be collected for users to 
connect to the internet using the public broadband hotspots. 
SEC. 5. Internet Service Provider. - The Infonnation and Communications Technology 
Office (lCTO) of the Depatiment of Science and Technology (DOST) is the lead agency for the 
promotion and implementation of the government's Infonnation and Communications 
Technology (ICT) - related efforts. Priorities of lCTO include ICT Policy Formulation and 
Industry Development, Cybersecurity, and providing internet for all. As such, it shall provide the 
internet connectivity infrastructure required for a mesh of networks to cover public spaces in 
NCR that will be provided with broadband hotspots. These hotspots will be made available using 
initially the services of existing commercial internet service providers (lSPs) until such time that 
a national broadband system has been installed. 
The National Computer Center (NCC) shall monitor the progress of the implementation 
of a broadband infrastructure and its maintenance. 
SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the immediate implementation of 
the provisions of this Act shall be charged against any available funds of the National 
Telecommunication Commission (NTC) and/or over all savings under the current General 
Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary to implement the broadband 
infrastructure shall be automatically appropriated out of the Spectrum User Fees (SUF) ofNTC. 
Any deficiency in the budgetary requirements for the implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - In the event that any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such declaration. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. --; All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions 
thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. -- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general.circulation or the Official Gazette. 
Approved, 
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