PLDT Inc. continues to push for policy reforms that support the Philippine government’s connectivity goals for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). The company believes that legislative measures are essential to efficiently expand internet services in underserved areas nationwide.
“Efficient connectivity is not just about technology – it is about economic opportunity,” Butch Jimenez Jr., COO of PLDT, said at a recent meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC). “By advocating for legislative measures that support infrastructure expansion, we can stimulate local economies and create opportunities in the very areas that need them the most.
Jimenez, alongside PLDT chair and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, discussed how changes to existing laws could enhance connectivity.
PLDT and its wireless unit, Smart Communications, are calling for several legislative reforms. These include simplifying the process of obtaining permits, ensuring that telco towers have reliable power, and reviewing lease payments for telco facilities. The company also seeks a more reasonable structure for Spectrum User Fees (SUF) to make connectivity efforts more cost-effective.
This collaboration between the private sector and the government, led by PSAC with Sabin Aboitiz as the convenor and Myla Villanueva as the sector head, is seen as vital for fostering innovation and growth. PLDT’s efforts align with PSAC’s Connectivity Plan, which aims to activate key GIDA sites by 2024 and roll out up to 1,050 new sites by 2028.