Sen. Ralph Recto said the bill does not only mandate the installation of free Internet access in public places and offices nationwide, it also requires Internet to be fast with a 2-Mbps speed.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the NTC should be given fiscal autonomy and its commissioners, a fixed term of office to reinforce its independence and to allow it to break out from the influence and control of big industry players.
The Road Board, which is funding a major road mapping project that aims to update the country?s road network, said it expects the P250-million initiative to be completed before the current year is out.
The measure providing Filipinos free Internet access in public places is now one signature away from becoming a law after the Senate ratified its final version Wednesday, May 24.
In a speech at the Senate on Monday, May 22, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian criticized the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for failing to impose stricter regulations in the use of public spectrum to compel telecommunication companies to improve their services.
Before the arrival of the solar panels, Pamilacan ? although just 40-minutes away by boat from the old town of Baclayon ? did not have electricity during daytime and had to rely on diesel-powered generators during nighttime.
The Philippines needs 19,000 more scientists working in both government and private sector to turn the country into a significant force in research and development, according to Sen. Paulo Benigno ?Bam? Aquino IV.
The Philippines is seeking designation as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
With the National Broadband Plan (NBP) expected to take three years to finish, Sen. Paulo Benigno ?Bam? Aquino IV urged the government to focus also on getting more competition by encouraging more players to join the market to improve the country's Internet speed.
