MANILA, Philippines — A consumers’ group has raised concerns on Senate Bill 2699 or the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying some of its provisions are open to abuse.
“Limiting or removing the oversight functions of the National Telecommunications Commission would close the door for consumers to bring up their grievances against inefficiency of foreign service providers,” Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) said.
BK3 convenor Karry Sison said the group was concerned about the proposal to remove the regulatory functions of NTC since this would leave consumers helpless as there would be no agency with which they could file their complaints or concerns.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, author of SB 2699, earlier said that the open access bill, also known as Konektadong Pinoy Act, was aimed at improving the access to fast and affordable connectivity nationwide.
The measure offers no requirement for legislative franchise for new telco players and also encourages sharing of infrastructure among telecom companies and overseeing the allocation and use of radio spectrums.
The BK3 convenor said that before allowing the new telco players to bypass rigid and exacting trade requirements, the government must first ensure that there would be no cybercriminals and scammers that could adversely affect the consumers’ interest.
“Kailangang tiyakin muna ng gobyerno na ‘di makapapasok sa internet ang cybercriminals na silang namiminsala sa mga konsyumer at negosyo, at maging sa seguridad ng ating bansa (government should ensure that cybercriminals will not have access and prey on consumers and businesses as well as threaten security),” the group said.
Sison warned that easing policies may later lead to bigger problems instead of offering solutions.
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