“the state of the philippine telecommunications service” · pdf file1 “the...
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“The State of the Philippine Telecommunications Service” Sec. Rodolfo A. Salalima, DICT
March 9, 2017
The theme of our 2-day summit, which starts today, is: “The State
of the Philippine Telecommunications Service”. Central to this theme
is public service and the rights of the consumers, to include the public,
business and government itself, to a reliable, affordable and efficient
telecommunications service, to include the internet, and broadcasting, the
latter also classified as telecommunication in International law.
Let me therefore begin by citing the bases of every man’s right to
public service, of which “telecommunication”, the service, is.
First: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Resolution
217A Article (III) adopted by the UN General Assembly in December
1948, in Article 21 (par. 2) provides: “Everyone has the right of equal
access to public service in his country.” Telecommunications,
collectively, is public service.
Second: The UN Council on Human Rights Resolution of 2012
which declared that the right to (tele) communicate, an extension of the
wider freedom of speech or expression, is a basic human right. And
there are 2 basic components of this human right. One, the right of every
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man to avail of the service; Two, the right of every man to have access to
the equipment or means with which to avail of the telecom service. Each
is incomplete and useless without the other complementary right.
Third: Our Phillippine Constitution. Apart from the age-old
freedom of expression enshrined in our Bill of Rights, Section l0 of the
General Provisions thereof (the Braid provision institutionalized in the
1987 Constitution) provides: “The State shall provide the policy
environment for the full development of Filipino capability and the
emergence of communication structures suitable to the needs and
aspirations of the nation and the balanced flow of information into, out
of, and across the country, in accordance with a policy that respects the
freedom of speech and of the press.”
Fourth: The Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT), under R.A. 10844 which took effect in June 2016, is
mandated to improve public access to telecommunication and to build
information structures as means to capacity building for industry and
countryside developments, particularly in areas unreached or underserved
by the public telecommunication entities (PTE).
Towards nation-building, studies have shown that every 10%
increase in broadband penetration boosts gross domestic product (GDP)
by an average of 1.3 %; and every 10 % increase on mobile telephone
density results in about 0.7 % in GDP.
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Fifth: In January 2011, the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2015 was
launched, and whose 4 key outcomes or objectives are:
1.! To institutionalize ICT as an engine of growth for the ASEAN
region;
2.! The recognition of ASEAN as a global ICT hub;
3.! Enhanced quality of life for the people of ASEAN (no doubt as
a consequence of objectives 1 and 2);
4.! Contributions (of each member States) towards ASEAN
integration.
All this, plus our consumers’ serious concerns on the state of our
telecommunication service, were more than enough compelling reasons
for me to initiate, and thus I called, for the convening of this Telecoms
Summit 2017.
The DICT thus invited the major stakeholders, particularly the
consumer sector, the private telcos and the regulator NTC, each to talk
about our current telecommunication service, with emphasis on 3 aspects
of the service: the efficiency and speed of telecommunication (internet
and mobile), their cost or affordability, and their coverage and
accessibility.
Make no mistake about all this: I want us, particularly the 3 major
stakeholders, to discuss all-out and without inhibitions their concerns,
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their problems, or challenges during this Summit, otherwise, effective
solutions to these concerns cannot be found.
For us to address the concerns of the consumers, we, together, must
also help solve the challenges or problems of the telcos, the service
providers, and the regulator. Because the problem of one, if left unsolved,
is also the problem of the rest.
Faultfinding, blaming is neither the name of the game nor will it
solve our concerns. Objective problem identification and giving solutions
thereto are. Critique clearly and fairly the other’s shortcomings with an
open mind and with the sole purpose of helping. More, to criticize means
one knows the problem. As the German pragmatic philosopher
Wittgenstein said: Whereof one cannot speak (knowingly), therefore, one
must be silent. Therefore, he who critiques must also suggest solutions,
with timelines, to the problem.
Knowing the problem is already half of the solution. Solutions
without timelines or deadlines are no solutions at all.
This summit is a no holds barred summit. Let everybody critique
each other’s shortcomings in a manner constructive. Be angry, if you
may, but be not MAD. Raise your voice to drive home your point, but do
not shout, particularly at persons. Disagree without being disagreeable.
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Above all, be civil and civilized – because that is the hallmark
of the greater man. Be frank yet be polite. After all, there is ethics in
every social discourse.
On the part of DICT, let it be said that the blueprint of our
country’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) has been filed with the Office
of the President for his approval so DICT may start implementing the
project. Last Monday, 3 days ago, it was approved by the President
during our Cabinet meeting.
Why the National Broadband Plan for the country?
BECAUSE: (read separate paper)
Second, on my order, the NTC caused to be published in the
Philippine Star (issue of February 12, 2017), all the mobile frequencies
assigned, unassigned and still available, assigned but unsused, assigned
but with spectrum user’s fee unpaid.
And let this be a fair warning. To all the assignees of frequencies
unused or whose SUF are unpaid, I had ordered the NTC to start all
quasi-judicial proceedings for the recovery and return of those
frequencies unused and with frequencies unpaid to our government for re-
assignment to legitimate telcos who will and must use these frequencies
for public service. Rights, in this case, mere privileges granted to telcos,
if abused, cannot supplant the overriding public good, and the police
power of the State and the swift exercise thereof. But due process will be
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punctiliously observed. The frequencies are owned by and belong to the
State as “national patrimony”. Enough of frequency hoarding or
warehousing for purely financial speculative gains. Radio frequencies
must be assigned solely and only for public use. No use, no payment of
SUF? Then the State takes these frequencies back and fast.
Next to be published will be the broadcast frequencies, complete
with details. As will be done with the mobile frequencies, so also idle or
unpaid for broadcast frequencies must be recovered and returned back to
the State. ENOUGH is ENOUGH!
The DICT will also propose during the summit:
(a)!a draft Executive Order, for the President’s approval and
signature, for the purpose of fasttracking and expediting
the permits and licensing of public service applications
pending or will be filed with the LGU’s, to include other
agencies of government;
(b)! MOUs of cooperation between and amongst the
Departments and agencies of government designed at
expediting and improving public services in the country.
(c)!Letters to the LGUs, personally signed by the Secretary
of the DICT, and copy furnished the Office of the
President, the DILG, the Leagues of various local
government units and other enforcing agencies of
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government mandating the LGUs to fasttrack telcos’
permits and licenses for public services, will be sent to
uncooperative LGUs.
After the summit, a Telecommunication Task Force will be
formed by DICT, representing all relevant stakeholders whose purpose is
to discuss, find and recommend solutions and help in improving
telecommunication services for national growth and well-being.
Competition
Do we need more competition in the telecom industry in our
country? Yes, the soonest the best for the consumers in terms of better
service, greater coverage and more affordable pricings.
Since March 1995 when the New Telecoms Policy Act (R.A. 7925)
took effect, the Philippines has been and is open to a third and a fourth
telco player, and more as needed because the very purpose of that law
authored by Senator Sonny Osmeña is to de-regulate and demonopolize
the telecom industry.
If any local franchisee wants to be the third or fourth operator of
consequence in this country, bring in a foreign partner with the legal,
technical and financial credibility and capacity to mount a credible and
effective competition against the existing telcos.
Frequencies will be assigned on a “show-need basis”. Enough
frequencies will be reserved for legitimate operators and assigned to them
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from time to time upon showing of need and demand for these
frequencies.
To prospective operators, just file your applications for
authorizations (CPCN or CPC) with the National Telecommunication
Commission.
I welcome you. This government welcomes you with open arms.
You are most welcome in the service of the Filipino.
TO THE CONSUMERS
On the fixing of rates of telecommunication and broadcast services
and the affordability of these rates, there is always a quasi-judicial
process required by law in rate-fixing consisting of prior notice and
hearing. To the consumers, be vigilant, participate actively in these
processes so your voice will be heard. Do not sleep on your rights, if you
do, your forfeit every right to complain much later when issues had
already been mooted and decisions thereon rendered final aid executory
against relevant complaints. Never cry because of spilled milk.
PUBLIC SERVICE CANNOT WAIT. IT MUST NOT BE
DELAYED.
At the close of this summit, I expect us to arrive at national
agreements and consensus on telecommunication solutions towards an
improved public service and national growth.
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CONCLUSION:
Martin Luther King, Jr., a great American, a universal man and
leader of the coloured people of America, in one of his great speeches
that changed the world, said and I paraphrase: The trouble in this universe
starts when we choose to remain silent on things that matter.
For so long, Us Filipinos not only have remained silent on things
that matter most to our Nation.
Worse, we, hopelessly, are too noisy on things that do not matter
and worst, we are divided on things that matter most to our country and
people.
On August 28, 1963, on the footsteps of Lincoln Memorial in
Washington, DC, the same Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered one of the
most memorable speeches of the 20th century-- his” I Have A Dream”
oration which moved people of all colours of America and the world
when he spoke of his unshakeable dream that some day his coloured
people will be judged not by the colour of their skin but by the intrinsic
merit of their character.
I, too, have a dream. And today I share to you all that dream, which
may just as well be our legacy to those generations, our blood relations
that will come after us. Dream of and visualize this economy for our
Nation one day:
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“An enlightened economy, xxx that has access to equality
information and communications, is able to make calculated decisions,
has a clear analysis of current environments in order to project future
markets, and enjoy better work and living conditions. (Because)
economies that do not have sufficient information and adequate
communication channels are unable to acquire the relevant knowledge or
connect to resources that could facilitate technology or knowledge
transfer. Such economies will be exposed to low productivity, poor
quality of goods and services, have no competitive advantage compared
to the rest of the world, and eventually end up marginalized and left
behind. Information and communications technology, the enabler of
telecommunication service is to the knowledge-based 21st century what
electricity was to the Industrial Age.”
Think New ASEAN By Philip Kotler, et al. pp.21-22
We need to establish a Nation of and for our children.
In the end, I appeal to all of you:
Pray for all of us, for enlightenment and guidance that during this
2-day summit and because of our diversities that does not divide but
instead enrich, unite, and complete all us, we will see through our
problems and concerns and, thus, arrive at a national consensus and
solutions for our Nation’s well-being and growth.
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Life, your life and my life, like the light, is best when we share its
warmth and brilliance to our people and their homes. Moreso, when we
lead a life of public service.
Remember this:
In public life, we must never regret of things which we
SHOULD NOT DO, and therefore we cannot and must not do.
Rather, we must regret everytime of all things which we SHOULD
HAVE DONE but we did not.
Let us all work and solve our common problems in the service of
the Filipino.
Good day. God bless us all!