Republic of the Philippin
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRE:
First Regular Session

2836

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT

AN ACT PROVIDING FREE WI-FI INTERNET ACCESS IN PUBLIC
BUILDINGS, TRANSPORT TERMINALS AND PARKS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The number of people who have access to the Internet worldwide has dramatically
increased in the past decade. Almost three billion people are reported to have access to
the Internet in 2014 from 910 million in 2004. Internet penetration is highest in the
developed world with almost 90 percent of the population gaining access to the internet.
Also in the past decade, remarkable growth in the information and communications
technology (ICT) sector was observed in the developing world, specifically on mobile
telephone subscription and usage. Yet, most developing countries such as the
Philippines are trailing behind in terms of adoption and Internet penetration rates.

According to the United Nations Broadband Commission's Report on the State of
Broadband (2015 edition), only 39.7% of the Philippine population was able to use the
internet in 2014, placing the country at 106" out of the 191 countries evaluated in the
report. This means that a huge portion of the population lacks access to reliable and
high speed Internet connection. Therefore, there is a crucial need to accelerate the shift
from basic connectivity to a more fully-interconnected digital economy to bridge the
digital divide by providing free public wireless internet access.


This measure proposes the installation of free Wi-Fi in public places such as, town
plazas, parks, government offices, health units and transport terminals including train
stations, seaports, and airports.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly so

TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT
igao Lone District


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2836

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT

AN ACT PROVIDING FREE WI-FI INTERNET ACCESS IN PUBLIC
BUILDINGS, TRANSPORT TERMINALS AND PARKS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be 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 of
2016."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall give priority to science and
technology to accelerate social progress and promote human development. The State
shall encourage the participation of local governments, private groups, and community-
based organizations in the development and utilization of science and technology for
national development.

In recognition of the vital role of information and communication in nation-building,
the State shall promote a policy environment for the development of information and
communication structures that would ensure the availability and quality, affordable,
reliable and secure Internet access suitable to the needs and aspirations of the nation.
The State shall also encourage the exchange of information into, out of, and across the
country, to promote knowledge-building among citizens and enable them to participate
and compete in an evolving information and communications technology age.

SEC. 3. Free Wi-Fi Internet Access. - Within a period of two (2) years from the
effectivity of this Act, free Wi-Fi internet access shall be made available in public areas
enumerated under Section 4 of this Act: Provided, That, priority shall be given to areas
with existing Internet infrastructure.


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SEC. 4. Coverage. - Public areas to be provided with free Wi-Fi Internet access

‘shall include the following:

a) All national and local government offices;
b) State universities and colleges;

¢) Public hospitals and health centers;

d) Public parks, plazas, and libraries;

€) Airports and seaports; and

f) Public transport terminals.

At the minimum, free Wi-Fi internet access should be available at the main
lobbies and main hallways of the public building or terminal, or at the main assembly

point in a public park or area.

SEC. 5. Free and Fair Usage Policy. — No fees shall be collected for the use of free
Wi-Fi Internet service. A Fair Usage Policy shall be implemented to ensure that
individuals will have equitable access. No restrictions or requirements that hinder
access shall be imposed, except to implement the Fair Usage Policy or when there is
clear and present security or technical risk that cannot be remedied through normal

technical solutions.

The free Wi-Fi Internet access shall not be used for the regular operations and/or
activities of the offices or facilities covered: Provided, That the shared use of
infrastructure shall not be prohibited.

SEC. 6. Role of Government Agencies. — The Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT) shalll be the lead agency for the implementation of
this Act, in cooperation with all National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local
Government Units (LGUs).

For the purpose of this Act, the NGAs and LGUs shall:

a) Allow reasonable access for the installation of equipment and signage in areas of
the building or park where the Wi-Fi Internet service is reasonably required;

b) Allow reasonable use of electricity; and

c) Ensure the security of the equipment installed.


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To provide a nationwide, uniform, and easier access, the NGAs and LGUs that are
already offering free Wi-Fi Internet access to the public, may enroll or align their existing

service with that provided in this Act.

SEC. 7. Public-Private Participation. - To promote an efficient and cost-effective
delivery of the free Wi-Fi Internet service, the DICT shall partner with private service
providers in the implementation of this Act.

In order to lower costs, increase speed, and improve the free Wi-Fi internet service,
private service providers are encouraged to exchange data traffic at a domestic Internet
Protocol (IP) Exchange designated by the DICT.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the immediate implementation
of the provisions of this Act shall be charged against any available funds of the DICT.
Thereafter, the budgetary requirements for the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Annual Report. - The DICT shall prepare an annual report on the status of
the implementation of the free Wi-Fi internet service program, which shall be submitted
to the President of the Philippines and the Chairpersons of the Committee on Science
and Technology of both Houses of Congress, not later than June 30 of the succeeding

year.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The DICT, in coordination with
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall promulgate not later
than thirty (30) days after the effectivity of this Act the necessary rules and regulations

for its effective implementation.

SEC. 11. 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. 12. Repealing Clause. -- All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. -- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,