Free Internet Access in Public Places Act

Sen. Bam: Free internet in public places now a signature away from becoming law

The measure providing Filipinos free internet access in public places is now one signature away from becoming a law after the Senate ratified its final version Wednesday, Sen. Bam Aquino announced.

 “Isang pirma na lang po at magiging batas na ito. This measure will empower Filipinos with internet access to education, information, jobs and business,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of the measure in the Senate in his capacity as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“We hope that this can be a step towards improving internet services in the Philippines, which, of course has become a main point for many of our countrymen,” he added.

 The final version, which was also ratified by the House, will be submitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s signature. If approved, this will be Sen. Bam’s 1st law in the 17th Congress and 18th in his four years as senator.

Sen. Bam hopes that internet service will improve with the successful implementation of the free internet access in public places, together with parallel efforts such as the National Broadband Plan and the entry of new players in the telecommunications industry.

 “Let’s work together to achieve our goal of faster, cheaper, more reliable internet services for every Filipino,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam thanked co-authors Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Manny Pacquiao and Sen. Ralph Recto, co-sponsors Sen. Grace Poe and Recto and members of the Senate panel in the bicameral conference committee, including Sens. JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva and Recto for helping develop and strengthen the measure.

The measure aims to provide internet access in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries.

 Under the measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be mandated to craft a plan and a timeline for the rollout of this program.

Sen. Bam lauds House for passing measure on free internet in public spaces

Sen. Bam Aquino lauded the House of Representatives for passing on third and final reading a measure that will establish free internet connection in public spaces.

“Ngayong nakalusot na sa Kamara ang panukala, inaasahan natin na ito’y maisasabatas sa lalong madaling panahon upang mapakinabangan na ng ating mga kababayan,” said Sen. Bam, referring to House Bill No. 5225 or the “Free Public Wi-Fi Act”.

 “As an enabler for education and for business, we should explore all efforts to improve the internet infrastructure and provide Filipinos with fast, reliable internet connections,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, pushed for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1277 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act as principal sponsor and co-author. It was approved by the Senate on third and final reading via 18-0 vote.

 Sen. Bam’s fellow Tarlaqueno — Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Victor Yap – sponsored the measure as chairman of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology.

The authors of the measure in the House include Reps. Gus Tambunting, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Geraldine Roman, Sarah Jane Elago, Vilma Santos-Recto, Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Jr., Ann Hofer;

Henry Ong, Rose Marie Arenas, Aniceto Bertiz III, Jose Enrique Garcia III, Francis Gerald Abaya, Micaela Violago, Enrico Pineda, Maria Cristina Roa-Puno, Dakila Carlo Cua and Mariano Michael Velarde Jr.

 The measure aims to provide internet access in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries.

Under the measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be mandated to craft a plan and a timeline for the rollout of this program.

 The measure also authorizes the DICT to cut red tape and streamline the process for the application of permits and certificates for the construction of infrastructure and installation of necessary equipment, in coordination with national government agencies and local government units.

 Meanwhile, Sen. Bam announced that his committee is scheduled to resume hearing on the national broadband plan next week.

Bam: Measure on free internet in public spaces hurdles Senate

The Senate has approved on third and final reading a measure that will establish free internet in public places and help fast-track the processing of permits for needed infrastructure and equipment to boost connectivity.
 
Via 18-0 vote, the Senate passed Senate Bill No. 1277 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, which aims to provide internet access in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries.
 
“Access to the Internet is also access to more opportunities when it comes to livelihood, education and business. We want quality internet to be available to every Filipino,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, who sponsored and co-authored the measure as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.
 
Under the measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be mandated to craft a plan and a timeline for the rollout of this program.
 
The measure also authorizes the DICT to cut red tape and streamline the process for the application of permits and certificates for the construction of infrastructure and installation of necessary equipment, in coordination with national government agencies and local government units.
 
In previous committee hearings, Sen. Bam said telecommunications providers have lamented the tedious and slow process in getting the needed permits and certificates for their infrastructure and equipment.
 
“Matapos maisumite ang kumpletong requirements, may pitong araw lang ang isang ahensiya o tanggapan na ilabas ang resulta ng aplikasyon. Kapag sila’y nabigo, maituturing nang aprub ang aplikasyon,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Aside from Sen. Bam, other authors of the measure are Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Manny Pacquiao, Ralph Recto, Joel Villanueva and Cynthia Villar. Co-sponsors were Sens. Grace Poe, Recto and Pangilinan.

Sen. Bam to DICT: Present approved nat’l broadband plan to stakeholders

With the approval of the national broadband plan, Sen. Bam Aquino called on the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to present it stakeholders, experts and other concerned groups for suggestion and scrutiny.

“Masaya tayo’t inaprubahan na ng pamahalaan ang national broadband plan na makatutulong upang mapaganda ang kalidad at mapalawak ang sakop ng internet sa bansa,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“Now that the plan is approved, we call on DICT to present it to stakeholders, experts and other concerned organizations for scrutiny and suggestion to ensure that it will be an effective one,” he added.

 According to Sen. Bam, the committee will conduct a hearing where the DICT can provide details of the plan, which was approved by President Duterte during Monday’s 13th Cabinet meeting.

 During last year’s committee hearing, Sen. Bam said the DICT presented three options to implement the P75-billion plan, including its preferred way of investing in Internet infrastructure, like fiber optic cables, especially in underserved and hard-to-reach areas.

Under this option, the government will also use the existing infrastructure of current players while encouraging new players to develop new Internet infrastructure.

 The DICT is expected to come out with a final national broadband plan by the 2nd quarter of 2017. The project is expected to be finished in about 2 to 3 years.

Sen. Bam is the principal sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1277 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, which is being currently tackled in the plenary.

If enacted into law, free internet access will be provided in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries.

 Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 1050 is included in Senate Bill No. 1277. It seeks to connect all public educational institutions to the internet to help students enhance their personal and academic development.

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