SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
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JUN 15 1\9 :45 
Senate Bill No. 2845 
(In substitution of Senate Bill No. 2232) 
BY; __ jlt 
Prepared Jointly by the Committees on Science and Technology and Finance with Senators Ralph 
G. Recto, Cynthia A. Villar, and Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero as authors 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FREE WI-PI INTERNET ACCESS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS, TRANSPORT 
TERMINALS AND PARKS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Public Wi-Fi Act of2015". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall give priority to science and technology to 
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accelerate social progress and promote human development. The State shall encourage the 
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participation of local govemments, private groups, and community-based organizations in the 
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development and utilization of science and technology for national development. 
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In recognition of the vital role of information and communication in nation-building, the 
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State shall promote a policy environment for the development of information and communication 
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structures tliat would ensure the availability and accessibility to quality, affordable, reliable and 
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secure Internet access suitable to the needs and aspirations of the nation. The State shall also 
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encourage the exchange of information into, out of, and across the country, to promote knowledge-
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building among citizens and enable them to participate and compete in an evolving information and 
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communications technology age. 
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SEC. 3. Free Wi-Fi Internet Access. - Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, 
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free Wi-Fi Internet access shall be made available in public areas enumerated under Section 4 of 
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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 
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include the following: 
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a) National and local govemment offices; 
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b) State universities and colleges; 
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c) Public hospitals and health centers; 
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d) Public parks, plazas, and libraries; 
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e) Airports and seaports; and 
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f) Public transport terminals 
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At the minimum, free Wi-Fi Internet access should be available at the main lobbies and 
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main hallways of the public building or terminal, or at the main assembly point in a public park or 
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area. 
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SEC. 5. Free and Fair Usage Policy. - No fees shall be collected for use of the free Wi-Fi 
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Internet service. A Fair Usage Policy shall be implemented to ensure that individuals will have 
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equitable access. No restrictions or requirements that hinder access shall be imposed, except to 
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implement the Fair Usage Policy or when there is a clear and present security or technical risk that 
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cannot be remedied through normal technical solutions. 
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The free Wi-Fi Internet access shall not be used for the regular operations and/or activities 
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of the offices or facilities covered: Provided, That the shared use of infrastructure shall not be 
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prohibited. 
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SEC. 6. Role of Government Agencies. - The Information and Communications Technology 
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Office (lCTO) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shall be the lead agency for 
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the implementation of this Act, in cooperation with all National Government Agencies (NGAs) and 
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Local Government Units (LGUs). 
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For the purpose of this Act, the NGAs and LGUs shall: 
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a) Allow reasonable access for the installation of equipment and signage to 
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areas of the building or park where the free Wi-Fi Internet service is 
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reasonably required; 
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b) Allow reasonable use of electricity; and 
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c) Ensure the security of the equipment installed. 
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To provide a nationwide, uniform, and easier access, NGAs and LGUs that are already 
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offering free Wi-Fi Internet access to the public, may enroll or align their existing service with that 
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provided in this Act. 
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SEC. 7. License-Free Use of Available and Unassigned Spectrum. -
The ICTO, in 
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coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), shall be allowed the 
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license-free use of available and unassigned spectrum for the provision of the free Wi-Fi Internet 
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service, as well as for other public service purposes: PrOVided, That this shall not cause interference 
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to, or hinder the development of, the broadcast and other services authorized by the NTC. 
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The license-free use of available and unassigned spectrum may be granted to other agencies 
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and private entities subject to the guidelines issued by the ICTO and the NTC. 
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SEC. 8. Public-Private Participation. - To promote an efficient and cost-effective delivery 
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of the free Wi-Fi Internet service, the ICTO shall partner with private service providers in the 
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implementation of this Act. 
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In order to lower costs, increase speed, and improve the free Wi-Fi Internet service, private 
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service providers are encouraged to exchange data traffic at a domestic Internet Protocol (IP) 
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Exchange designated by the ICTO. 
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SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amonnt necessary for the immediate implementation of the 
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provisions of this Act shall be charged against any available funds of the leTO and the NTC. 
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Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary to implement this Act shall be automatically 
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appropriated out of the Spectrum User Fees (SUF) collection of the NTC. 
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Any deficiency in the budgetary requirements for the implementation of this Act shall be 
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included in the General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 10. Annual Report. - The ICTO shall prepare an annual report on the status of the 
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implementation of the free Wi-Fi Internet service program, which shall be submitted to the 
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President of the Philippines and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Science and Technology 
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of both Houses of Congress, not later than June 30 ofthe succeeding year. 
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SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The ICTO, in coordination with the NTC 
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and the Department ofInterior and Local Government (DILG) shall promulgate not later than thirty 
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(30) days upon the effectivity of this Act the necessary rules and regulations for its effective 
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implementation. 
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SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - In the event that any provision of this Act is declared 
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nnconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such declaration. 
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SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions 
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thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its pUblication 
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in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation Of the Official Gazette. 
Approved, 
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