Open Access in Data Transmission Act

Last updated
Konektadong Pinoy Act
Coat of arms of the Philippines.svg
Congress of the Philippines
  • An Act Establishing a Comprehensive and Inclusive Data Transmission and Connectivity Framework for the Philippines
Territorial extent Philippines
Enacted by House of Representatives of the Philippines
EnactedDecember 12, 2022
Enacted by Senate of the Philippines
EnactedFebruary 5, 2025
Became law by inactionAugust 24, 2025
Legislative history
First chamber: House of Representatives of the Philippines
Bill titleAn Act Promoting Open Access in Data Transmission and Providing Additional Powers to the National Telecommunications Commission
Bill citation House Bill 6
IntroducedJune 30, 2022
First reading November 29, 2022
Second reading December 5, 2022
Third reading December 12, 2022
Voting summary
  • 243 voted for
  • None voted against
  • 3 abstained
Committee report Committee Report No. 185
Second chamber: Senate of the Philippines
Bill titleAn Act Establishing a Comprehensive and Inclusive Data Transmission and Connectivity Framework for the Philippines
Bill citation Senate Bill 2699
Received from the House of Representatives of the Philippines May 22, 2024
First readingJuly 29, 2024
Second readingFebruary 4, 2025
Third readingFebruary 5, 2025
Voting summary
  • 17 voted for
  • None voted against
  • None abstained
Committee report Committee Report No. 262
Conference committee bill passed by House of Representatives of the Philippines June 9, 2025
Conference committee bill passed by Senate of the Philippines June 9, 2025
Status: Not yet in force

The Konektadong Pinoy Act also known as Open Access in Data Transmission Act is an internet and telecommunications and the bill passed by the 19th Congress of the Philippines and lapsed on August 24, 2025. [1] The bill contains provisions encouraging the development of data transmission infrastructure and removing any barrier to competition in data transmission services. It also aims to protect and promote the internet as an open platform enabling consumer choice, freedom of expression, end-user control, competition and freedom to innovate without permission.

Contents

Background

The Philippine telecommunications industry was liberalized in 1995 with the passage of the Republic Act No. 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act. [2] Prior to the enactment of the law, the telecommunications industry was heavily dominated by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT). On March 29, 1994, Internet first became available and has since become commercially available for consumer, private business, government and institutional use.

Business process outsourcing in the Philippines (BPO) started in 1997. Significant number of BPO companies depend on internet connectivity to perform its function. Revenues from this new industry has since contributed significant percentage to the Philippines' Gross Domestic Product. [3] With the industry becoming competitive locally, many industry players offered remote work opportunities, taking advantage of the advancement of technology such as videotelephony, virtual private network, and remote desktop software. On December 20, 2018, Republic Act No. 11165 or the Telecommuting Act was enacted, [4] setting a state policy on remote work and flexible work arrangements.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses, organizations, government and academic institutions were forced to close and switch to remote work as a contingency plan. Much of the local home data and mobile telecommunications infrastructure went on high demand that resulted to slow data transmission. Despite the passage of Republic Act No. 11494 [5] on September 14, 2020, or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act , to facilitate a streamed lined process of approving local and national government permits to build telecommunications infrastructure, [6] many observed that there is not much competition in the telecommunication sector as there is no enabling law that prohibits public telecommunication entities (PTE)s of bandwidth throttling, state oversight on PTEs performance on data transmission, among others.

Legislative history

18th Congress

House

House representative Victor Yap of Tarlac 2nd district filed House Bill No. 00057 on July 1, 2019. This was followed by Francis Gerald Abaya of Cavite 1st district on August 22, 2019, with House Bill No. 04109, Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur 2nd district on November 12, 2019, with House Bill No. 05341 and Joy Tambunting of Parañaque 2nd district on January 18, 2021, with House Bill No. 08383. House Bill No. 08910 was introduced as a substitute bill of the 4 prior bills by the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology on March 5, 2021, and approved by the same committee on March 9, 2021.

After series of interpellations and amendments in the House plenary, the bill passed on second reading on March 16, 2021. [7] On July 28, 2021, with 200 affirmative and no negative votes, the bill passed on third and final reading.

Senate

On July 29, 2021, the bill was transmitted to the Senate for action. Senate Bill No. 45 was filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Grace Poe, while Senate Bill No. 911, was filed by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. Its Economic Planning Office only conducted a webinar on the said measure on July 7, 2021. [8] The Senate Committee on Science and Technology chaired by Senator Nancy Binay is yet to take action on the measure.

19th Congress

House

House representatives Martin Romualdez of Leyte 1st district, Yedda Romualdez and Jude Acidre of Tingog Party List filed House Bill No. 6 on June 30, 2022. This was followed by Christian Yap of Tarlac 2nd district on June 30, 2022, with House Bill No. 2382, Jurdin Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin lone district on July 26, 2022, with House Bill No. 2566 and Ralph Recto of Batangas 6th district on August 3, 2022, with House Bill No. 3591. House Bill No. 4164, House Bill No. 5085, House Bill No. 5464, and House Bill No. 5854 was introduced as a substitute bill of the 7 prior bills by the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology on November 28, 2022, and approved by the same committee on November 29, 2022.

After series of interpellations and amendments in the House plenary, the bill passed on second reading on December 5, 2022. [9] On December 12, 2022, with 243 affirmative, no negative and 3 abstain votes, the bill passed on third and final reading. [10]

Senate

The bill passed on second reading on February 4, 2025. On the next day, with 17 affirmative votes, the bill passed on third and final reading. [11]

Bicameral

On June 9, 2025, Both chambers approved bills for bicameral committee conference. [12] And transmitted to the President on July 24, 2025. [13]

Lapsed

On August 24, 2025, the law lapsed without taken president action. [13]

Support

In a statement from Department of Information and Communications Technology through Secretary Gringo Honasan on March 20, 2021, the DICT expressed its support for the bill. [14] He added that the DICT supports any policies aimed at spurring the growth of information and communications technology in the country.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry also expressed its support for the bill. [15] They stated that if the bill is enacted to a law, it lowers barriers to market entry, fast-track and lower the cost of deploying broadband facilities, and make more spectrum available for Internet service.

Several foreign chambers of commerce, as well as the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Incorporated (SEIPI) also expressed support for the measure. [16] They stated that developing competitive digital infrastructure would be essential for better lives for everyone in the Philippines and critical for local and foreign investments. [17]

References

  1. ↑ Unite, Betheena (August 24, 2025). "Konektadong Pinoy Bill has already lapsed into law—Palace". Manila Bulletin . Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines". Board of Investments, Philippines. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  3. ↑ "BPO revenues to overtake OFW remittances in 2017 – IT expert". Rappler. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  4. ↑ "Republic Act No. 11165, Telecommuting Act" (PDF). Official Gazette. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  5. ↑ "Republic Act No. 11494: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY INTERVENTIONS AND PROVIDING MECHANISMS TO ACCELERATE THE RECOVERY AND BOLSTER THE RESILIENCY OF THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES". Official Gazette. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  6. ↑ "DICT, DPWH to abide by Bayanihan 2 streamlining to help increase telco tower buildup". Department of Information and Communications Technology. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  7. ↑ "Open access in data transmission bill hurdles 2nd reading". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  8. ↑ "Binay, Senate Economic Planning Office, hold webinar on open access in data transmission bill". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  9. ↑ Cervantes, Filane Mikee (December 5, 2022). "House pushes for open access in data transmission". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  10. ↑ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (December 12, 2022). "Over 15 key bills passed on third reading at House". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  11. ↑ Fernandez, Butch (February 6, 2025). "Konektadong Pinoy bill hurdles 3rd and final reading in Senate". BusinessMirror . Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  12. ↑ Superable, Ram (June 15, 2025). "Senate OKs Konektadong Pinoy Act for better access". Manila Standard . Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  13. 1 2 Cabalza, Dexter (August 25, 2025). "Konektadong Pinoy bill lapses into law". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  14. ↑ "DICT supports Open Access in Data Transmission Act". Department of Information and Communications Technology. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  15. ↑ "Open Access to Data Transmission Act needed to accelerate digitalization". Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  16. ↑ "Businesses bat for passage of Open Access bill". Philippine Star. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  17. ↑ "Foreign chambers, industry groups urge Senate to fast-track open access bill". BusinessWorld. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
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