Konektadong Pinoy issues being ironed out in ongoing drafting of IRR —DICT

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Thursday said the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Konektadong Pinoy Act will be out next month, with major issues being ironed out.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, told reporters at the sidelines of Arangkada Philippines Investment Forum in Pasay City, that “the final comments [on the IRR] will be submitted by 1st of October… then from there, publication…”

“Before the end of October, it should be out,” Aguda said.

The measure has drawn flak from some groups, such as the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), made of the country’s leading telecommunications companies, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO).

The PCTO earlier said that while it supports the measure's goal of expanding internet access across the country, it could lead to national security vulnerabilities, weaken regulatory oversight, and destabilize the telecommunications sector.

The measure has been backed by the DICT, saying that it would not allow deregulation at the expense of security or public interest.

The measure had lapsed into law last month. Under the measure, foreign entities looking to enter the data transmission industry will be subject to existing Philippine laws including the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 and the Public Service Act, that provide that foreign participation can be reviewed for potential national security implications.

Aguda said that stakeholders, including incumbent players in the country’s telecommunications and data transmission space, are participating in crafting the law’s IRR.

The DICT chief said issues on cyber and national securities are being addressed in the IRR.

“On the security standard that's open for everyone including increasing the security requirements in two years time… that’s across the board for new players and incumbents. Even the new players would have to comply with higher cybersecurity requirements,” Aguda said.

“Then on the level playing field… we made sure on shared facilities that there would be reasonable rates of rental or sharing fees, etc.,” he added.

The DICT chief said that the IRR will also provide a provision encouraging new entrants to “pursue those areas without connectivity.” — BM, GMA Integrated News