Republic of the Philippines 4
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES = sag
Quezon City \

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL. NO. __ Cues

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The state recognizes that it is imperative to prioritize and provide the suitable
tools and means to make way for the needed infrastructure to interconnect
government agencies and consolidate numerous agency data centers that can
provide services such as cloud computing, web hosting, and server colocation.

To support these, it is obligatory that the national government establish a
National Broadband Development Act.

This House Bill seeks to create and establish a comprehensive Broadband
control and management framework. To enable all concerned and affected

personnel, organizations to carry out their unique role.

Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

:L L. ROMERO Ph.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no 8359

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero

AN ACT

PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL BROADBAND
DEVELOPMENT ACT, TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF ICT
INFRASTRUCTURES AND MECHANISMS, TO AUGMENT THE
DEMANDS FOR INTERNET SPEED AND NETWORK
CONNECTIVITY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. DECLARATION OF POLICY -~ It is hereby a declared policy
of the state to provide efficient ICT and Broadband services, prioritize the

unserved and underserved areas.

SECTION 2. NATIONAL BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT ACT - The State
shall hereby create a National Broadband Development Act to expand and
establish ICT infrastructures, to foster the continuity of ICT-Broadband based

services to aid and support our noble economic objectives:

(a) The vital role of an efficient Broadband infrastructure in

our nation building;


(b) To ensure the provision of strategic, reliable, cost-efficient
and citizen-centric_ election technology, infrastructure,

systems and resources;

(c) To ensure universal access to quality, affordable, reliable

and secure services;

(d) To promote the development and widespread use of
emerging new ICT technologies;

(e) To ensure the availability and accessibility of services in all

areas;

(f To foster an Integrated and automated policy environment
that will promote a broad market-led development of the ICT-

enabled services;

(g) To promote and assist the development of local and
national database-ICT content, applications and services
which may include support for ICT-based start-up enterprises
through strategic partnerships;

(h) To promote the use of modern ICT base mechanisms and
technologies for the enhancement of key public services, such
as education, public health and safety, revenue generation,
and socio-civic purposes;

(i) To encourage the use modern ICT mechanisms and
technologies for the development and promotion of the

country’s election procedures, and national identity;


(i) To promote digital literacy, ICT base expertise, and
knowledge building among citizens to enable them to

participate and compete in an evolving ICT age;

(k) To empower, through the use of ICT concepts, the
disadvantaged segments of the population, including the
elderly, persons with disabilities and indigenous and minority

groups;

(l) To ensure the rights of individuals to privacy and

confidentiality of their personal information;

(m) To ensure the security of critical ICT infrastructures
including information assets of the government; and

(n) To provide oversight, governance and regulating the ICT
sector and ensure voters protection and welfare, data privacy

and security.

SECTION 3. TRANSITORY PROVISION- Existing industries,
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act, shall be
given six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or
such other period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements
of this Act.

SECTION 4. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this
Act shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate

the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.


SECTION 5. REPEALING CLAUSE. - All laws, decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the

provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. - If, for any reason, any
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other

sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 7. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. - This Act shall take effect
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes

earlier.

Approved,