Lapid wants probe on internet reliability in Philippines amid 'new normal'

A Senate investigation on the status of internet connectivity, speed, and bandwidth capacity in the Philippines is being sought by Senator Lito Lapid as Filipinos shift to the new normal brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Magiging epektibo lamang ang pagtatrabaho sa ilalim ng work-from-home arrangement at maging sa online classes kung may mabilis at maaasahan tayong internet connection," Senator Lito Lapid said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Ang internet ang magiging bagong puhunan ngayon ng mga opisina, negosyo, at paaralan para makapagpatuloy sila ng maayos ng operasyon sa harap pa rin ng krisis dulot ng COVID-19," he added.

He recently filed Senate Resolution No. 414 seeking the appropriate panel in the chamber to conduct such probe.

Citing the April 2020 Speed Test Global Index, Lapid said the Philippines ranked 121st out of 139 countries in terms of mobile internet speed. The country is also lagging behind in terms of fixed broadband connection speed as it landed on the 110th place among 174 countries.

Lapid also said that the Philippines only has over 17,000 cell sites which is starkly lower than Vietnam's 90,000, based on a 2019 study.

“Talagang nakakadismaya ang internet service dito sa Pilipinas lalo na kung ikukumpara sa mga kalapit ng bansa na malayo na ang narating pagdating sa aspetong ito. Isa sa mga tinitignang dahilan ng napakabagal nating internet ay dahil sa kakulangan ng imprastruktura para mapabilis at mapalakas ang connectivity," Lapid said.

He mentioned that spotty connections also cause glitches in the "hybrid" sessions of the Senate.

"Isa itong bagay na dapat matalakay naming mga mambabatas para mahanapan ng solusyon dahil hindi lang naman ngayon kakailanganin ang mabilis na internet connection. Itinuturing na ito na sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayang hanggang sa hinaharap," he added.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in new norms in the country such as work from home for employees who can't go out because of quarantine protocols, and distance learning for students in the upcoming school year. The situation has also boosted online selling and delivery services in the country.—AOL, GMA News