Pres. Rodrigo Duterte signed on Wednesday, Aug. 2, the proposed law on Free Internet Access Program in Public Places, now known as Republic Act (RA) 10929.
Sen. Paolo Benigno ?Bam? Aquino IV, principal sponsor of the law, said he was ?delighted? with the approval of the law, which he said is his 18th in his four years as senator.
“Masaya tayo na isa sa ating naipasang panukala sa Senado ay batas na. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Pangulo sa kanyang paglagda bilang batas ang maging libre na ang Internet sa mga pampublikong lugar,” said Aquino, co-author of the measure in the Senate in his capacity as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.
“This will expand Internet access across public spaces in the Philippines, including public schools to aid in teaching methods and enhance learning,” the senator added.
“There is also a provision for faster permitting for Internet infrastructure, which is a key feature in the law to improve infrastructure development,” added Aquino.
The law provides free Internet access in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries.
Under the measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be mandated to craft a plan and a timeline for the rollout of this program.
