Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 15) — Some congressmen are pushing to increase the P900 million budget for the phase 1 of the National Broadband Program to improve the country’s internet connectivity.
During the plenary deliberations on Thursday, both Baguio Rep. Mark Go and Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo said the budget of the Department of Information and Communications Technology for the program should be increased to achieve its goals.
Makati Rep. Luis Campos, the sponsor of the department’s 2021 budget, said the original proposed allocation for the program was around P18 billion, but only P902 million was included in the proposed budget for next year.
The national broadband plan aims to enhance public reach of connectivity services by developing and enhancing digital infrastructures. The program has six components, namely National Fiber Optic Cable (FOC) Backbone, Cable Landing Stations, Accelerated Tower Build, Accelerated Fiber Build, Satellite Overlay, and Broadband Delivery Management Service
Campos noted that the current allocation is only able to establish broadband infrastructure from the National Capital Region to the province of Quezon. If only the whole Luzon will be provided with infrastructure, P8 billion is required, he said.
Denying the requested budget will only lead to further delays in the implementation of the program, Campos noted.
“Since the rollout of our broadband infrastructure is cumulative in nature… Any delay in funding would necessarily result in delay of rollout,” he stressed. “Meaning it sets back our broadband effort for another budget cycle.”
Furthermore, the obsolescence of technology should also be considered, Campos said, adding that by the time the program is completed, this may be outdated already if implementation is slow.
