DICT defends Konektadong Pinoy Act, welcomes dialogue

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday addressed several issues concerning the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, saying it welcomes the public dialogue surrounding the measure, which is now awaiting the President’s signature.

In a statement, the DICT said it acknowledges the concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding potential regulatory and cybersecurity risks.

“We affirm our shared commitment with civil society, industry, and government partners to uphold national security, consumer protection, and universal access to secure, affordable, and reliable internet,” the ICT Department said.

The agency, moreover, issued clarifications to address pressing issues on the Konektadong Pinoy bill.

“The DICT will never allow deregulation at the expense of security or public interest. The Konektadong Pinoy Bill does not weaken the role of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC),” it said.

“On the contrary, it modernizes and strengthens NTC’s mandate to respond faster and more effectively to digital-age challenges — including the ability to issue compliance directives on cybersecurity, quality of service, and fair competition under streamlined frameworks,” it added.

The DICT further said that it is already preparing complementary Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that explicitly reinforce the NTC’s role as the technical regulator with teeth — not just a passive licensing body.

On the issues of foreign ownership and national security, the ICT Department stressed, “National security is a non-negotiable priority.”

“The DICT, in coordination with national security agencies, will ensure that no foreign-controlled entity gains access to critical digital infrastructure without undergoing multi-layered vetting and continuous monitoring,” it said.

“The bill introduces open access within defined segments — particularly the middle mile and last mile — to address the broadband gap. But backbone and core infrastructure remain governed by existing ownership and security laws, including the Public Service Act and Cybercrime Prevention Act,” it added.

Critics of the measure, including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country’s leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO), have flagged security issues as it would allow new entrants to not require a legislative franchise.

Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).

Meanwhile, cybersecurity stakeholders — Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP), Scam Watch Pilipinas, BPO Security Council, PhilDev S&T Foundation, and the Philippines CIO Association —  urged President Ferdinand Marcos to address the cybersecurity risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill either “through a veto with recommendations, immediate amendments post-enactment, or complementary executive actions.”

The DICT addressed issues on the removal of the legislative franchise requirement in the bill, saying it “was carefully deliberated to accelerate deployment in underserved areas, especially in remote provinces.”

“It does not apply to telcos.”

“The DICT emphasizes that all entities must still secure proper permits, undergo security reviews, and be subject to the oversight of DICT and its attached agencies,” it added.

The agency said that there will be no “grace period” for negligence.

“The three-year clause cited in the bill refers only to minimum standards for legacy compliance, not to active threat management. All new entrants will be required to comply with baseline cybersecurity controls before operations begin, under the direct supervision of the DICT and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC),” the DICT said.

The ICT Department said it is actively consulting with legal, civil society, and cybersecurity partners “as we finalize the IRR and bicameral inputs.”

“We invite groups to submit position papers, recommend safeguards, and participate in our technical working groups. This law is not an endpoint — it is a starting point for deeper reform, built on transparency, accountability, and collaboration,” it said.

The agency said that it is reaffirming its “core objective,” which is “to make the internet a right, not a privilege.”

“We are open to better ideas. But we must act decisively and together—because every day without action is another day of digital exclusion for millions of Filipinos. Let’s connect the country—securely, inclusively, and responsibly,” the DICT said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News