Internet problems hit Palace media briefing on telco services

Internet woes marked the press briefing of presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday which tackled the progress in the country’s telecommunications services.

Three of those who took part in the virtual news conference were briefly disconnected from the briefing, including the resource person, Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Manny Caintic.

The glitch occurred minutes after Roque cited a report from Ookla that the Philippines' fixed download speed climbed 25.4% and the mobile download speed rose 32.7% during the July to December 2020 period.

“Kailan ba ho matitigil itong ating hinagpis na napuputulan tayo ng internet?” Roque asked.

“Naku! Anyway, sa aking report po kay Presidente sa Lunes, sasabihin ko po ang nangyari on the day we rendered a report on the telcos na nawalan po kami ng connection sa lahat.”

Caintic later told Roque that the country’s internet problems will only be resolved through the construction of more cell towers, rollout of additional fiber optic cables and “better customer service.”

“Ang problema po talaga ng telecoms, ramdam ng lahat pati po dito sa seat of power na Malacañan Palace,” Roque said.

“Asahan ninyo po hindi matatapos ang termino ng Presidente na hindi po mabibigyan nang mas epektibo, mas mabilis na serbisyo, at mas mabuting serbisyo ng telecoms ang taumbayan.”

Roque’s previous briefings had also experienced interruptions apparently due to poor connectivity.—AOL, GMA News