Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON
Sane

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This seeks to usher a new era of buildings that are equipped with
telecommunications infrastructure for broadband and other internet services. It is hoped that
this proposal will improve our competitiveness in a globalized and digitized economy.

Since consumers spend a lot of time indoors especially nowadays, the need to have
quality telecom services inside buildings through deployment of in-building solutions has
never been more apparent. An effective telecommunications infrastructure is an essential
component of any office or residential building. It permits a rapid exchange of information
between individuals located within the building and connects them to others anywhere in the
world through the Internet. A typical office building has hundreds of kilometers of
telecommunications cabling that must be correctly installed and properly managed in order to
provide essential communications.

As the telecommunications spaces and pathways are usually deficient in existing
buildings and are frequently only an afterthought in the design of new buildings, special
expertise should be involved at the early stages of a project. The design of the

telecommunications infrastructure should follow a holistic approach looking at the building
as a single entity and considering individual spaces as all being part of that single entity in a
fashion similar to that used for the distribution of other utilities such as electricity and water.
It should be noted that obtaining permission for setting up network equipment and cabling in
some residential, commercial and public buildings become difficult at times, and that
deployment was often hindered by owners and developers delaying the negotiations. Often
operators are forced to enter into agreements at unilateral and exorbitant terms set by the
other parties. These roadblocks ultimately work to the detriment of the consumer. It is hoped
that this legislative proposal will be able to address all of these important concerns.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Rt iO bib h es

Lone District, Muntinlupa City



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. Ge

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Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

—s

AN ACT
MANDATING REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND CONSTRUCTION FIRMS TO
ENSURE THAT NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS AND OTHER SUCH
DEVELOPMENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH A HIGH-SPEED-READY, IN-
BUILDING PHYSICAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE

d by the Senate ani

Congress assembled:

f Representatives of the Philippine in

SECTION ONE. Title, - This Act shall be known as the “Telecommunication
Infrastructure Deployment-Ready Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes that the Internet, as an
information super-highway, is an invaluable too! for the continued progress and development
of our nation. It is the policy of the State to ensure the accessibility and portability of
information technology and the Internet to all its citizens and encourage its proper use as an
nomic and personal platform for enhancement and well being.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As defined in this Act:

a. Building Permit - is an official approval issued by the local government unit that
allows a developer or contractor to proceed with a construction or remodeling project on a
Property.

b. Major renovation - the remodeling or alteration of buildings and other structures
within the framework of an existing building or structure wherein twenty five percent (25%)
or more of its surface area undergoes renovation.

SEC. 4, Building Requirement. ~ In addition to the requirements under the National
Building Code of the Philippines and prior to the grant of any building permits, all proposed
new buildings and existing properties subject to major renovation shall be equipped with
telecommunications infrastructure such as ducts, common area for telecommunication
facilities and network access points that shall allow occupants to access broadband and other
internet services.



SEC. 5. Exemption. — The requirement under Section 4 hereof may be waived if the
building that is to undergo major renovation is a monument, historic building or other special
category of building such as those used by the military.

SEC. 6. Standards and Guidelines. - ‘The Department of Information and
‘Communications Technology (DICT) in cooperation with the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) shall, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, draw the
necessary standards, guidelines and technical specifications as applicable for the proper
implementation of this Act. A periodic review of the same shall be conducted to make them
at par with prevailing global standards.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, ruie or reguiation contrary to or is inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,