Major telecommunications companies, PLDT and Globe, have expressed their support for the Philippine government’s initiative to advance digitalization and improve connectivity across the nation.
This endorsement follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona), where he underscored the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance the country’s digital landscape.
President Marcos emphasized that digitalization is crucial for better service delivery and enhancing the digital lifestyle of Filipinos. He called for joint efforts to improve the country’s connectivity, highlighting the potential benefits for livelihoods, businesses, and government services.
“We at PLDT support the President’s vision for a digitally empowered Philippines, where technology uplifts Filipino lives, helps foster meaningful connections, enables livelihoods and businesses of all sizes, transforms government service, and ultimately drives economic progress,” Manuel V Pangilinan, chair and CEO of PLDT, said in a statement.
“Our goals are well-aligned, and we look forward to our sustained collaboration with the government and other stakeholders to bring to fruition our parallel vision of a digitalized nation,” Ernest Cu, president and CEO of Globe, said in a media release.
Policy reforms
Both companies are advocating for the streamlining of the permit process for constructing and deploying telecommunications infrastructure. President Marcos addressed this in his Sona, indicating the government’s commitment to “harness the concept of common towers” and implement “policy reforms and streamlined processes.”
Globe has been particularly vocal about the need for policy reforms. The company has called for amendments to the National Building Code to classify the internet as a basic necessity, eliminate lease fees for in-building solutions, and mandate the provision of space for telco infrastructure in new buildings and real estate developments.
In addition to their advocacy efforts, both PLDT and Globe are actively pursuing their own initiatives and partnerships with local governments and public sector entities to promote digitalization. These efforts are aimed at enhancing connectivity and ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation reach all sectors of society.