The bill seeks to provide free Internet connectivity in:
1. Buildings of all national government offices, including its regional and satellite offices, in
municipal halls and in provincial Capitols
2. State universities and colleges
3. Public parks and plazas
4. Public hospitals
5. Public transportation terminal.
Terry Ridon, Kabataan party-list Representative said that the House Bill 5791 aims to move government one step forward in providing democratic access to the Internet.
“Notwithstanding the issue of the mass accessibility and availability of personal electronic devices that people have to use in order to access public networks, government has to recognize that the Internet is an important mechanism in delivering some of its services, and a valuable tool for people's participation in governance and in democracy. One way to foster this democratic participation is by at least provide the people access to the Internet in many, if not all, of our government buildings and public establishments,” Ridon said in his proposed note.
"The bill has been warmly received by members of the ICT committee, with most of our colleagues even co-authoring the Free Public Wi-Fi bill. We thank ICT Committee Chair Joel Duavit for the speedy passage of this legislation," Ridon said.
Earlier, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines endorsed the proposed bill, saying a law that will make free Wi-Fi available in "crowded urban areas" can be considered a valuable public sector contribution.
"Higher Internet penetration will bring a wealth of benefits to Filipinos and efficiencies for the economy, reducing business costs and helping the economy to become more competitive and meet its Millennium Development Goals," the group said.
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