‘Urgent reforms needed to speed up internet rollout’

MANILA, Philippines —  A consumer advocacy group has urged policymakers to prioritize legislation that addresses regulatory blocks hindering the country’s digital infrastructure rollout.

In a statement, CitizenWatch Philippines said there is a pressing need to modernize the National Building Code, streamline right-of-way (ROW) acquisition, and clarify rules around homeowners’ association (HOA) restrictions on telco access.

“We support the national commitment to digital transformation,” said Orlando Oxales, lead convenor of CitizenWatch. “To move forward, we need enabling policies that respond to the realities of the digital age. Connectivity should be treated as a basic utility, not a privilege.”

He noted that several legislative proposals that sought to address these issues were filed in the last Congress such as House Bill 900 on telecommunications readiness of buildings, House Bill 4472 on ICT infrastructure requirements for housing developments and House Bill 6571 on ROW guidelines, but these have yet to be refiled in the current 20th Congress.

“These are critical measures that warrant prioritization,” Oxales said. “We encourage lawmakers to refile, refine and pass these bills so we can create a legal environment more responsive to connectivity needs.”

The group cited persistent barriers telcos face: outdated building codes, restrictive HOA practices, and lengthy ROW permitting at the local level.

“Our Building Code dates back to 1977, long before internet connectivity became essential to life,” Oxales said. “As a result, many buildings lack provisions for broadband infrastructure, leaving residents with limited or delayed access.”

CitizenWatch supports proposals to require telco-ready designs in building plans – from in-building fiber pathways to network access points – integrated into the permitting and occupancy process.

“Proactively designing for digital connectivity ensures that no community is left behind,” Oxales added. “It also lowers the cost and complexity for providers, benefiting consumers.”

Oxales further emphasized that these reforms should also consider how the Magna Carta for Homeowners Associations is applied.

“If the internet is now considered a basic need, then access to it should not be subject to a ‘social acceptability’ requirement,” he said. “We do not require public consultation to install water pipes or power lines because they are essential utilities. Internet connectivity should be treated with the same level of importance.”

The group also pointed out that allowing more than one telco to access a building or community would foster competition and improve service quality. “These reforms should encourage infrastructure designs that accommodate multiple telcos, so residents aren’t forced to rely on just one provider,” Oxales noted. “This avoids a situation where one internet service provider holds a building or community hostage simply because no other operator was given access.”

The group underscored the importance of addressing ROW challenges, which continue to delay the deployment and energization of telco towers and underground fiber. While the 19th Congress ratified the reconciled version of the “ARROW” Act, CitizenWatch believes there is still room to strengthen implementation and coordination among national agencies, LGUs and utility providers.

“We can further streamline permits and harmonize standards across agencies and LGUs,” Oxales said. “This is essential for infrastructure rollout, especially in underserved areas.”

CitizenWatch called for national policy guidance to prevent HOAs and developers from creating barriers to telco access. The group advocates for rules that ensure fair and reasonable access for telcos and ISPs, especially in high-density residential and commercial developments.

“Connectivity should be available to all, regardless of whether they live in gated communities, condominiums or urban centers,” Oxales said. “Policy clarity ensures residents aren’t deprived of broadband connectivity due to inconsistent interpretations.”

As the demand for digital services continues to rise across education, healthcare, business and governance, CitizenWatch stressed the urgency of institutionalizing reforms that enable last-mile connectivity.

“Digital access is no longer optional – it is foundational to inclusive development,” Oxales said. “We urge lawmakers and agencies to remove the barriers limiting our people’s full participation in the digital economy.”