EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
House Bill No. _
EXPLANATORY NOTE
lnternet access has become more and more important in our lives today. Almost
everyone needs internet access for work, for school, and for access to vital information. Many
other countries have passed legislation to promote internet access.
The Philippines has Republic Act No. 10929 othenrvise known as "Free lntemet Access
in Public Places Act" which declares that the "State hereby recognizes the vital role of
information and communications technology in nation-building, and declares its policy to
promote an environment for the development of structures that would ensure the availability
and accessibility to reliable and secure internet access suitable to the needs and aspiralions
of the nation".
However, internet access in the Philippines remains limited. According to a
survey of Pew Research Center released last April 2020, the Philippines ranked 29th
out of 34 countries surveyed in terms of access to the internet. ln the Digital Quality
of Life Index 2020, the Philippines lands at the 82nd place, out of 85 spots, in terms
of internet affordability.
lnternet charges still remain quite high and many Filipinos rely on mobile data which
unfortunately is also not that affordable. As such, there is a need to provide not just cheap
access to lnternet, but meaningful access as well.
This bill aims to establish a lifeline rate for lnternet access, similar to the lifeline
rate implemented in other utilities such as electricity and potable water. Such rate
recognizes lnternet access as a primary right and provides a much-needed assistance
to low-income and connectivity-dependent lnternet consumers.
ln view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.
RUF
B
UEZ
February 16, 2022
1:33 pm
10805


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session 
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced bv Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
AN ACT
IMPLEMENTING 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 House of Representatives of the Philippines rh Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Extension of Lifeline Rate. - Section 17 of Republic Act No. 7925, otherwise
known as the "Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines", is hereby amended
to read as follows:
"SEC. 17. Rates and Tariffs, - The Commission shall establish rates and
tariffs which are fair and reasonable and which provide for the economic
viability of telecommunications entities and a fair return on their
investments considering the prevailing cost of capital in the domestic and
international markets.
The Commission shall exempt any specific telecommunications service
from its rate or tariff regulations if the service has sufficient competition to
ensure fair and reasonable rates or tariffs. The Commission shall, however,
retain its residual powers to regulate rates or tariffs when ruinous
competition results or when a monopoly or a ca(el or combination in
restraint of free competition exists and the rates or tariffs are distorted or
unable to function freely and the public is adversely affected. ln such cases,
the Commission shall either establish a floor or ceiling on the rates or tariffs.
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 GONSUMPTION THRESHOLDS. THE LEVEL OF
CONSUMPTION AND CORRESPONDING DISCOUNT RATES SHALL
BE DETERMINED BY THE COilIMISSION AFTER DUE NOTICE AND
HEARING: PROVIDED, THAT THE COMITISSION CANNOT SET A
BASE LEVEL OF CONSUMPTTON LESS THAN ONE (1) GIGABYTE
PER MONTH OR A BASE DISCOUNT LOWER THAN TWENTY
PERCENT (20%).
QUAL]FIED MARGINALIZED INTERNET END-USERS SHALL REFER
TO THE FOLLOWING:
(A) QUALIFIED HOUSEHOLD.BENEFICIARIES UNDER REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 11310, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PANTAWID
PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM, AS REGULARLY SUBMITTED BY
House Bill No. _10805


THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
(DSWD) TO THE GOMMISSION, AND THE PUBLIC
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTITY; OR
(B) MARGINALTZED END-USERS AS CERTIFIED BY THE PUBLIC
TELECOIIMUNICATIONS ENTITY BASED ON A CRITERIA
DETERMINED BY THE GOMMISSION: 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
SEGIIENTS OF SOCIETY SUCH AS STUDENTS, SENIOR CITIZENS,
PERSONS wlTH DISABILITIES, THE ELDERLY AND THE LIKE, 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 REVIEWAND SUPERVISION OF
THE COMMISSION, SHALL NOT BE BURDENSOME FOR THE
APPLIGANT: PROVIDED FINALLY, THAT THE PUBLIG
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTITY SHALL ACT ON THE APPLICATION
FOR CERTIFICATION AS QUALIFIED MARGINALIZED END.USER
wtTHlN TWO (2)WORKING DAYS FROM SUBilISSION OF COMPLETE
DOCUMENTARY REQUIREi'ENTS, AND SHALL NOT
UNREASONABLY WTHHOLD OR DELAY THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH
CERTIFICATION. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE RULES
AND GUIDELINES FOR OUALIFIED MARGINALIZED END.USERS
WHOSE ACCOUNTS ARE NOT REGISTERED IN THEIR NAME. THE
COMMISS]ON SHALL SUBTUIT TO THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL
ENERGY COMMISSION AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIFELINE RATE, AND A
COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION EVERY
TWO (2) YEARS TO INCLUDE A COST.BENEFIT ANALYSIS AS WELL
AS MOOES OF VALIDATION ANO PREVENTION OF LEAKAGES AND
ABUSE."
SEC 2, lmplementing Rules and Regulations. - The National Telecommunications
Commission, in coordination with the Department of lnformation and Communications
Technology, and in consultation with other stakeholders from the public and private sectors
shall, within sixty (60) days from the date of effectivity of this Act, promulgate and publish the
rules and regulations for the effective and faithful implementation of this Act: Provided, That
the failure of the promulgation of the said rules and regulations shall not prevent the
implementation of this Act upon its effectivity.
SEC 3. Separability Clause. - lf, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of this Act
shall be declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SEC 4. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, orders, rules and regulations or
parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or moditied accordingly.
SEC 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,