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

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

nous BILLNo. 4471

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
PROMOTING CHEAPER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE INTERNET SERVICES,
EXPANDING INFRASTRUCTURE, STRENGTHENING COMPETITION, AND
SUPPORTING MISSIONARY INTERNET ACCESS PROGRAMS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘Access to the intemet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. It underpins education,
commerce, healthcare, governance, disaster response, and even food security by linking farmers
and fisherfolk to markets. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this reality, as millions of
students, workers, and small businesses relied on internet connectivity for survival. Yet, despite
this urgency, the Philippines continues to rank among the countries in Asia with the most expensive
and least reliable internet services.

According to international benchmarks, Philippine internet users pay significantly more
per megabit compared to neighbors such as Vietnam and Thailand, while average broadband
speeds remain below global standards. These connectivity gaps reinforce inequality, leaving
students in rural areas at a disadvantage, cutting off communities from opportunities in digital
work, and limiting the ability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMES) to scale up
through e-commerce.

The present policy framework has left critical gaps. Permitting bottlenecks at the local
‘government level slow down the rollout of infrastructure. Market concentration limits competition,
leaving consumers with high costs and few choices. Investment in missionary areas is weak,
leaving geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) underserved.


This bill seeks to address these challenges by creating a comprehensive framework for

cheaper and more accessible internet access without imposing additional charges on consumers.
Its core features are:

1

Missionary Internet Access Program. The Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT) will deliver internet access to GIDAs and
underserved communities, prioritizing public schools, libraries, health centers, and
government service hubs.

Infrastructure Expansion. The National Broadband Program will be accelerated, with
emphasis on fiber, satellite, and submarine cable facilities. Infrastructure sharing among
telecommunications companies will be mandated to lower deployment costs.

Streamlined Permitting. All internct-related permits and rights-of-way shall be processed
by government agencies and LGUs within thirty (30) days, with automatic approval for
failure to act.

Competition and Open Access. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
will set benchmarks for speed and cost per Mbps and ensure open and non-discriminatory
leasing of backbone capacity to encourage smaller ISPs and promote competition.

Public-Private Partnerships. The DICT may co-invest with private firms to expand
intemet coverage in remote areas, with incentives such as tax deductions and duty-free ICT
equipment importation.

Digital Inclusion. Community Wi-Fi hubs will be established in every municipality, and
digital literacy programs will be rolled out for students, teachers, farmers, fisherfolk,
women, and micro-entrepreneurs.

‘Transparency and Accountability. The DICT shall publish annual Intemet Access
Scorecards, detailing coverage, costs, and performance by region, while Congress
exercises oversight.

By passing this bill, Congress will establish a clear framework for internet as a public good

and a strategic enabler of national competitiveness. It will ensure that no Filipino student,
worker, farmer, or entrepreneur is left behind in the digital economy.

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

RAYMO! E. SALCEDA


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

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4471

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA.

AN ACT
PROMOTING CHEAPER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE INTERNET SERVICES,
EXPANDING INFRASTRUCTURE, STRENGTHENING COMPETITION, AND
SUPPORTING MISSIONARY INTERNET ACCESS PROGRAMS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it 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 “Cheaper and More Accessible
Access to Internet Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to recognize access to the
internet as an essential service for education, commerce, health, governance, and social inclusion.
The State shall ensure affordable, reliable, and universal access to the internet by expanding
infrastructure, promoting competition, supporting missionary access in underserved areas, and
strengthening accountability of service providers.

SEC. 3. Missionary Internet Access Program. - The Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT) shall establish and expand a Missionary Internet Access
Program to deliver affordable and reliable connectivity in geographically isolated and
disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and other underserved communities.

‘The Program shall prioritize public schools, state universities and colleges, public libraries,
barangay health centers, and local government service hubs. The Program shall be funded through
the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and may also receive official development assistance,
grants, and partnerships with the private sector.


SEC. 4, Infrastructure Expansion. ~The DICT shall accelerate the rollout of the National
Broadband Program and may use fiber, satellite, submarine cable landing stations, and other
technologies.

All internet service providers (ISPs), telecommunications companies, and infrastructure
firms shall be required to practice infrastructure sharing for backbone facilities such as towers,
poles, ducts, and rights-of-way, subject to reasonable cost recovery mechanisms to reduce
deployment costs.

SEC. 5. Streamlined Permitting. — All national government agencies, government-owned
and -controlled corporations, and local government units shall process applications for internet-
related permits and rights-of-way within a period not exceeding thirty (30) days. Failure to act
within such period shall result in automatic approval of the application.

SEC. 6. Competition and Open Access. ~ The National Telecommunications Commission
(NTC) shall establish rules ensuring open and non-discriminatory access to backbone and
wholesale intemet capacity. Large telecommunications operators shall be required to lease
capacity to smaller ISPs at fair and cost-oriented rates to encourage market entry and competition.

The NTC shall also publish annual benchmarks for minimum broadband speed and
maximum allowable cost per Mbps for retail internet, based on regional and global standards.

SEC. 7. Public-Private Partnerships. — The DICT may enter into public-private
partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate the rollout of intemet infrastructure in underserved areas, Private
firms investing in missionary access projects may be entitled to incentives, including tax
deductions and duty-free importation of ICT equipment, subject to existing laws.

SEC. 8. Digital Inclusion. - The DICT shall establish at least one community Wi-Fi hub in
every municipality, giving priority to remote barangays and disaster-vulnerable areas. The DICT
shall also coordinate with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for digital literacy training programs
targeting students, teachers, farmers, fisherfolk, women, and micro-entrepreneurs.

SEC. 9, Transparency and Accountability. - The DICT shall publish an annual Intemet
Access Scorecard, reporting the cost per Mbps, coverage, speed, and service quality by region.

The NTC shall enforce compliance by [SPs with reporting requirements, subject to fines
and penalties for misrepresentation or failure to disclose accurate data.

Congress shall exercise oversight by requiring the DICT and NTC to submit an annual joint
report on the status of internet affordability and accessibility nationwide.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. - The amounts necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the DICT and the NTC. Thereafter, such sums
as may be necessary shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DICT and the NTC, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,