THOUGHTSKOTO

Thursday, November 24, 2016

DUTERTE: "I WILL OPEN MEDIA, ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTORS TO FOREIGN PLAYERS."

Communications is a vital necessity for the Filipinos nowadays especially for the OFWs and their families.
OFW and families rely on the internet to communicate with their loved ones back home.
But the high cost of of telephone and internet subscription in the Philippines doesn't seem to match the quality of services the Filipino people get. The Philippines has a reputation of being one of the slowest internet service in Asia. The internet service in the country is only faster than war thorn Afghanistan.

The President addressed the problem even during his campaign and even allocated the budget from his state visit to China to improve the internet speed in the Philippines as well as solve energy problems.

After attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he wants to open media, communications and energy sectors in the Philippines to foreign players to improve the quality of service.
"My decision now, this moment, is bubuksan ko ang Pilipinas," Duterte said upon arriving at the Davao City International Airport.The President clarifies that he doesn't want a quarrel with the local business magnates and he will take his statements back if the local telecommunication companies will dive their prices down.

Duterte said opening up communications, the airwaves, and the entire energy sector would enable the country to move faster for the benefit of the poor.

The President said that: “It’s about time that we share the money of the entire country and to move faster, make competition open to all.”

Also, the president said regulatory requirements and institutional arrangements are being studied to hasten the entry of new players in the energy sector amid corruption allegations in the Energy Regulatory Commission.

The president warned telecom owners in the country to shape up or face foreign competition. In May, after winning the elections, Duterte also issued the same warning to power industry players.

“The Philippines acknowledges the significant role of more vibrant telecommunication and power industries to be able to participate in the global market with a competitive edge.

“Let us open everything para matapos na itong kalbaryo ng Pilipino.” President Duterte stated.