18 March 2021 – The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Philippine Exporters Confederation (PHILEXPORT) and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) today expressed their appreciation to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the progressive step taken to improve internet access in the country.
President Duterte recently signed Executive Order (EO) 127 liberalizing access to satellite technology through inclusive access to satellite services.
The three business organization, which have batted for the amendment of EO 467 of 1997 to remove the franchise requirement in the access of international satellite systems said the signing of EO 127 will help to address the needs of unserved and underserved areas in the country.
“With its archipelagic structure, satellite broadband is the fastest and most reliable means to improve connectivity and internet access across the country,” PCCI President, Amb. Benedicto V. Yujuico said adding, “The signing of the EO has made possible access for millions of Filipinos, particularly the connection of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and remote services for students, education and health institutions in the countrysides, as well as far-flung municipalities and local government units.”
Improved internet access is also seen to fuel the country’s innovation ecosystem.
“Improved connectivity means our people can now access life-enhancing information and services around the clock, and this fuels innovation activity,” Yujuico emphasized.
Yujuico, who set up the PCCI Innovation Center said better connectivity will help PCCI achieve its goal of educating young people and the country’s workforce in advance technology such as in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud, Mobile App Development, Blockchain and Robotics. These technologies can only be learned and applied if one has access to digital technology.
“These technologies will play a big role in meeting the needs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and in responding to the challenge of ensuring sustainability to achieve Ambisyon 2040,” Yujuico ended.
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