Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo. __ 6510

Introduced by Representative Rodrigo A. Abellanosa

Information is a very precious resource that used to be very expensive to attain.
With the advent of technology and the introduction and now prolific usage of the
World Wide Web, access to this important resource has beco

me more affordable but continue to be limited. A study conducted by The Nielsen
Company in 2011 shows that only 33% of the population have access to the
internet."

This bill aims to provide internet connectivity to all Filipinos, across all
demographics, at no cost to them. This mandatory installation of high-speed
broadband internet in all local government unit halls and public/private high
schools is expected to further open up opportunities for all citizens, marginalized
or otherwise

Imagine a nation where everyone has ready access to a vast fount of knowledge.
We have always talked about bridging the gap between the rich and the poor.
Existing direct financial subsidies coupled with this expanded internet connectivity
can help bring us closer to that goal. After all, an informed citizenry feels more
empowered and often becomes more productive.

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

(wr

REP. RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA

+ The Digital Media Habits and Attitudes of Southeast Asian Consumers, October 2011, p.3
http://www. nielsen. com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/reports-downloads/20111-Reports/South-East
-Asia-Digital-Consumer.pdf



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

6510
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Rodrigo A. Abellanosa

AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF HIGH-SPEED WIRELESS
BROADBAND CONNECTION IN ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES,
SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND TERTIARY SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND
UNIVERSITIES NATIONWIDE, ALLOWING FREE INTERNET ACCESS TO THE
PUBLIC, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “The Free Wireless
BroadBand Internet Act.”

SECTION 2. Installation of high-speed wireless broadband connection. Local
government offices, including but not limited to Provincial Capitols and City and
Municipal Halls, and public and private high schools, colleges, and universities
shall, as far as practicable, shall install and make available high-speed wireless
broadband connections.

SECTION 3. Free access to the public. Anyone may gain access to the internet
through such wireless broadband connection and no restrictions in any form shall
be imposed concerning such access unless it can be established that there exists
a clear security and/or technical risk.

SECTION 4. Regulatory agencies. The following agencies are tasked to ensure
proper implementation and compliance with this Act
a. Department of Interior and Local Government for local government offices;
b. Department of Education for secondary schools; and


o. Commission on Higher Education for tertiary schools.
SECTION 5. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act as far as the mandated government entities are concerned shall be provided
for in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,