TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE 
S. B. No. 451
25
10 P6 32
Introduced by Senator Rodante D, Marcoleta
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A LIFELINE RATE FOR INTERNET SERVICES, AMENDING 
FOR THIS PURPOSE SECTION 17 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7925, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY ACT OF THE 
PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The United Nations, particularly in the 2016 Human Rights Council resolution1, 
has emphasized the indispensable role of "internet access in exercising freedom of 
expression, facilitating access to information and protecting other fundamental rights." 
In this complex digital age, the internet is a platform for culture, education, and 
economy.
In 2021, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies has reported that 
"despite the widespread cellular phone signal coverage and mobile device ownership, 
internet usage in the country remains low owing to poor and expensive internet 
connectivity and inadequate digital infrastructure, especially outside the National 
Capital Region."
The Department of Information and Communications Technology established 
their target to increase the number of households with internet access nationwide 
from the current 44% in 2024 to 60% by 2028. Relatedly, their free public Wi-Fi 
program is "seen to benefit 9.8 million users across 1,401 cities and municipalities.
1United Nations Human Rights Council. The Promotion, Protection and Enjoyment of Human Rights on the Internet. 
A/HRC/RES/32/13, 1 July 2016, available at www2.ohchr.ora/enalish/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/32session/A.HRC.32.LZ0.Pdf. (last 
accessed on July 07, 2025).


including 3,040 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas." This issue of access 
must also simultaneously address affordability.
Internet connectivity is a game-changing tool that defines income, dignity and 
access for every citizen. Moreover, the occurrence of natural disasters and pandemics 
in the past accelerated the need for internet access in expanding employment with 
work-from-home options, ensuring learning continuity in shift learning modalities, and 
assessing up-to-date information for informed decision-making.
This measure aims to establish a lifeline rate for internet access, similar to 
electricity, in order to ensure assistance to low-income and connectivity-dependent 
households. Relatedly, it compliments Republic Act 10929 or the Free Internet Access 
in Public Places Act.
In recognition of the right to internet access, the immediate approval of this bill 
is most earnestly sought.
RODANtE D. MARCOLETA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE 
S. B. No.
25 JUL'10 P 6 32
::v
Introduced by Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A LIFELINE RATE FOR INTERNET SERVICES, AMENDING 
FOR THIS PURPOSE SECTION 17 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO, 7925, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY ACT OF THE 
PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Lifeline Rate for
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Internet Services Act".
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Sec. 2. Establishment of Lifeline Rate. - Section 17 of Republic Act No. 7925,
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otherwise known as the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines, is
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hereby amended to read as follows:
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"Sec. 17. Rates and Tariffs. - The Commission shall establish rates and
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tariffs which are fair and reasonable and which provide for the economic
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viability of telecommunications entities and a fair return on their investments
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considering the prevailing cost of capital in the domestic and international
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markets. The Commission shall exempt any specific telecommunications service
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from its rate or tariff regulations if the service has sufficient competition to
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ensure fair and reasonable rates or tariffs. The Commission shall, however,
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retain its residual powers to regulate rates or tariffs when ruinous competition
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results or when a monopoly or a cartel or combination in restraint of free
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competition exists and the rates or tariffs are distorted or unable to function
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freely and the public is adversely affected. In such cases, the Commission shall
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either establish a floor or ceiling on the rates or tariffs.
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A BROADBAND AND DATA LIFELINE RATE FOR QUALIFIED 
MARGINALIZED INTERNET END-USERS SHALL BE SET BY THE 
COMMISSION.
LIFELINE RATE REFERS TO A SOCIALIZED PRICING MECHANISM IN 
THE FORM OF APPLICABLE DISCOUNTS BASED ON CONSUMPTION 
THRESHOLDS. THE LEVEL OF CONSUMPTION AND CORRESPONDING 
DISCOUNT RATES SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING: PROVIDED, THAT THE 
COMMISSION CANNOT SET A BASE LEVEL OF CONSUMPTION LESS 
THAN ONE (1) GIGABYTE PER MONTH OR A BASE DISCOUNT LOWER 
THAN THIRTY PERCENT (30%).
QUALIFIED MARGINALIZED INTERNET END-USERS SHALL REFER TO 
THE FOLLOWING:
(A) QUALIFIED HOUSEHOLD-BENEFICIARIES UNDER REPUBLIC ACT 
11310, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG 
PILIPINO PROGRAM (4PS) ACT, AS REGULARLY SUBMITTED BY THE 
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT TO THE 
COMMISSION, AND THE PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTITY; OR
(B) MARGINALIZED END-USERS AS CERTIFIED BY THE PUBLIC 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTITY BASED ON A CRITERIA 
DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION: PROVIDED, THAT THE CRITERIA 
SHALL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE POVERTY THRESHOLD SET BY THE 
PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, AND PRIORITIZE MEMBERS 
OF INTERNET AND/OR CONNECTIVITY-DEPENDENT SEGMENTS OF 
SOCIETY SUCH AS STUDENTS, SENIOR CITIZENS, PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITIES, AMONG OTHERS AND SHALL CONTAIN AN EXCLUSIVE 
LIST OF REQUIREMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTITY: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE 
EXCLUSIVE LIST OF REQUIREMENTS AND THE PROCEDURE FOR 
THEIR SUBMISSION, WHICH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE REVIEW
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AND SUPERVISION OF THE COMMISSION, SHALL NOT BE
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BURDENSOME FOR THE APPLICANT: PROVIDED, FIN ALL Y, THAT THE
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PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTITY SHALL ACT ON THE
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APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION AS QUALIFIED MARGINALIZED
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END-USER WITHIN TWO (2) WORKING DAYS FROM SUBMISSION OF
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COMPLETE DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS, AND SHALL NOT
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UNREASONABLY WITHHOLD OR DELAY THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH
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CERTIFICATION.
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THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE GUIDELINES FOR
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QUALIFIED MARGINALIZED END-USERS WHOSE ACCOUNTS ARE NOT
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REGISTERED IN THEIR NAME,"
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Sec. 3. Harmonization with the Free Internet Access in Pubiic Places Act. - The
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implementation of this Act shall be harmonized with the implementation of the
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Republic Act 10929 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act.
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Sec. 4. Mandatory Submission of Report to Congress. - The Department of
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Information and Communications Technology (DICT) shall submit to the Congress of
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the Philippines, through the respective Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on
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Public Services and House Committee on Information and Communication Technology,
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a program report detailing the implementation every fiscal year. The program should
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include but not limited to:
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a. total number of household beneficiaries including relevant information, such as
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but not limited to, number of household members (including their age, sex),
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and location; and
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b. assessment of the impact of the program to the National Broadband Plan.
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Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the DICT shall, in coordination with the National
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Telecommunications Commission and the Department of Social Welfare and
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Development, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, promulgate the rules
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and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act: Provided, That the


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failure of the promulgation of the IRR shall not prevent the implementation of this Act
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upon Its effectivity.
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Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the implementation
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of this Act shall be included in the DICT budget in the annual General Appropriations
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Act.
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Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
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invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain
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in full force and effect.
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Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
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letters of instructions, proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent
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with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,