Nababahala ang isang citizens’ rights network sa panukalang Konektadong Pinoy Bill o ang Senate Bill 2699.
Sinasabing ang bill, sa kasalukuyang porma nito, ay may oversight gaps na maaaring magresulta sa hindi sinasadyang negatibong epekto sa mga Pilipino.
Iginiit ng CitizenWatch Philippines na nababahala sila sa lumuluwag na restrictions sa foreign entities para mag-operate sa Pilipinas.
Sabi ng grupo, kapag naisabatas ang bill, ang National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ay magiging isang registrar na lamang at mababawasan ang papel nito upang i-regulate ang telco operations sa bansa.
“As a result, there could be erosion of consumer protection, because it is the NTC’s mandate to hold telecommunications providers accountable and compliant to standards that protect consumers. Operators could then result to cutting corners to maximize short-term gains, to the detriment of long-term quality and innovation,” pahayag ni CitizenWatch Lead Convenor, Orlando Oxales.
“SB2699, if passed, will eliminate the requirement for a legislative franchise for the use of the country’s radio frequency spectrum and will also weaken the regulatory oversight of the NTC, which is dangerous to the Philippines’ national security,” ayon sa grupo.
Bukod dito, ipinanawagan din ng CitizenWatch sa Kongreso na ang anumang bagong batas ay kailangang humikayat ng kumpetisyon at tumiyak sa paglago ng digital infrastructure ng bansa, lalo na sa mga liblib na lugar.
“We call on the Senate to work with industry experts in integrating adequate safeguards that would mitigate risks to all broadband users. Calibrating, rather than diminishing, the NTC’s regulatory oversight, is essential. We have to ensure that our laws truly promote the safe and accelerated expansion of our digital infrastructure,” ani Oxales.
Nabatid na ang Konektadong Pinoy Act ay kasalukuyang nakahain sa Senado at naghihintay ng mga karagdagang deliberasyon at aksiyon.
