DEPDev backs Konektadong Pinoy Act for digital reform

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development has expressed strong support for the newly enacted Konektadong Pinoy Act, hailing it as a landmark policy reform aimed at closing the country’s digital divide and advancing the digital agenda under the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028.

“Reliable and affordable internet means more students, especially those in remote areas of the country, can gain access to online learning resources,” said DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

“Micro, small, and medium enterprises can reach broader markets, while clinics can deliver telehealth to those who are unable to travel to regional centers,” he added.

“Our farmers and fisherfolk can access timely market and weather information that will allow them to manage their crops more effectively. Citizens will also find it easier and less costly to access government services.”

The Konektadong Pinoy Act introduces structural reforms that encourage greater competition, promote infrastructure sharing for more rapid network deployment, and mandate more efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum.

These reforms are expected to lower internet costs, improve speeds, and expand access across the country—especially in underserved and rural communities.

DEPDev said the law aligns with its mission to make digitalization a pillar of productivity and inclusive economic growth.

“Stronger digital infrastructure, in turn, enhances resilience during disasters by keeping households, workplaces, and public services connected,” the agency said in a statement.

The department played a central role in the law’s development, having released a Policy Note on Open Access in Data Transmission in 2024 that outlined the barriers to competition and connectivity in the telecommunications sector.

DEPDev pushed for the bill’s inclusion in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council’s Common Legislative Agenda and provided technical assistance to lawmakers throughout the legislative process.

DEPDev also recognized the critical collaboration of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Philippine Competition Commission, local government units, regulatory bodies, the private sector, civil society, and development partners.

The agency credited the “decisive leadership” of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who certified the bill as urgent—signaling its national priority status and accelerating its approval.

“The Konektadong Pinoy Act is a game-changing measure that will revolutionize and boost our digital economy, bringing us closer to our shared vision of a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay,” said Balisacan.

“This is a future where no Filipino is left behind and accessible digital opportunities uplift every individual, home, livelihood, and community.”

DEPDev committed to ensuring a consultative and data-driven approach in crafting the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to fulfill its equity and inclusivity goals.

The Konektadong Pinoy Act is also seen as critical in enabling remote learning, telemedicine, e-governance, and digital commerce, particularly for micro and small businesses that stand to benefit from expanded market access.

Based on World Bank data, about 30 percent of Filipino households remain unconnected to the internet, and rural areas lag significantly behind urban centers in broadband access.

The law is expected to support broader economic goals, including raising digital adoption among small businesses and improving public service delivery.

As of 2025, the Philippine government has allocated more than PHP 15 billion for digital infrastructure under the General Appropriations Act, with further investments anticipated through public-private partnerships.