Duterte orders creation of body to review national broadband plan

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of an interagency body that would review the government’s broadband plan to provide internet connection to areas that do not have one.

 

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said the Info Tech Review Committee was given 15 days to come up with proposals to improve internet access in the country.

 

“It will review the national broadband plan of the government and we will review it for the next 15 days then we will come up with a recommendation to the president,” Andanar told radio station dzBB Sunday.

 

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The committee is headed by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. It consists of the heads of PCOO, the Department of Information and Communications Technology and presidential adviser on economic affairs and information technology communications Ramon Jacinto.

 

“We were instructed to move as soon as possible. DICT is part of the council. (There is) no duplication because it’s just a review committee (that) will advise the president,” Andanar said in a text message.

 

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“We will expedite all necessary options to fast-track the establishment (of connections) and connectivity in our country.”

 

Andanar said the creation of the committee had nothing to do with the resignation of former DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, who claimed that there was “interference” and “corruption” in his former agency.

 

Duterte has denied this, saying he asked Salalima to quit because there were allegations that the former DICT chief was favoring one company. — Alexis Romero