The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO) has respectfully submitted a statement of concern in light of the prevailing national energy emergency and its significant impact on the telecommunications sector. While acknowledging the importance of the Konektadong Pinoy Act and its goal of expanding digital connectivity for all Filipinos, the PCTO has urged relevant government agencies and regulators to carefully consider several key points amid these extraordinary circumstances.
First, the PCTO is calling for extended and appropriately spaced policy consultations on key issues under the implementing rules of the Act, including the access list, dig once policy, SMPF, infrastructure sharing, and cybersecurity. According to the group, compressed timelines and simultaneous consultations place undue pressure on stakeholders whose operational capacities are already strained. Providing more time between consultations would allow for more substantive, well-considered, and representative inputs from the industry.
The organization also emphasized the need to account for internal operational and cost pressures currently facing telecom operators. These include rising operational expenses, supply chain disruptions, workforce limitations, and increased demand for reliable connectivity. The PCTO noted that regulators should take these challenges into account when setting policy timelines, compliance requirements, and related obligations.
In addition, the PCTO highlighted the importance of fully utilizing the one-year period provided under the Konektadong Pinoy Act for the promulgation of the Spectrum Management and Policy Framework (SMPF). The group stressed that maximizing this timeframe will allow for comprehensive consultation, collaborative drafting, and thorough review among stakeholders. It warned that rushing the process could result in a framework that is not fully aligned with technical realities, market conditions, and long-term industry and public interests.
Finally, the PCTO appealed for a temporary moratorium on the issuance of policies that may materially affect the telecommunications industry during the ongoing national energy emergency. It emphasized that allowing sufficient time for stakeholder consultations is not only a procedural consideration but a practical necessity under current conditions.
The organization underscored that ensuring the telecommunications sector remains operational, financially viable, and resilient is essential not only for the industry but also for the public, as connectivity plays a critical role during times of crisis. The PCTO reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with government agencies to advance digital connectivity for all Filipinos.
