Business groups urge passage of Open Access in Data Transmission Act

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) have given their unequivocal support to the Open Access in Data Transmission Act (OADTA) bill.

In separate letters addressed to Cong. Victor Yap, Chairman of the ICT Committee of the House of Representatives, and Senator Nancy Binay, chair the Science and Technology Committee of the Senate the business groups urged the passage of the Open Access bill, stressing the importance of improving the country’s digital infrastructure to connect millions of Filipinos and ensure the survival of the Philippine economy amid the global disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Recovery and resilience measures should include facilitating a robust, affordable, and widely accessible digital infrastructure,” the business groups said as they pointed out the need to effectively transition to the digital world to develop agile businesses and promote a resilient economy.  Part of this push includes updating relevant laws, rules, and regulations to reflect the rapid evolution of technology and keep up with the ever increasing demand for digitalization.

As a result of the pandemic, the movement of goods and people continues to be restricted.  Digital technology applications such as e-Commerce, Work-From-Home Arrangements, Virtual Learning, Financing Technology and even Telemedicine have become the generally acceptable options to balance health and safety with our economic and governance objectives.  Because of these, there is now even greater urgency to pass OADTA - so that businesses and Filipinos can have timely, reliable, and accessible Internet connections, the group added.

Download here the joint position paper and statement of support of PCCI, Philexport and ECOP.