UniTeam senatorial candidate Harry Roque would push for Internet connection as a human right of all Filipinos.
“Right to connectivity, right to Internet ay kinikilala na ngayon na karapatang pantao,” he said in an interview with lawyer Trixie Angeles on Thursday.
Roque, a human rights lawyer, said the Internet had played a significant role for people worldwide since most activities and business transactions were being done online.
He said the Department of Education was able to implement blended learning because of Internet connectivity.
As a member of the House of Representatives’ 17th Congress, Roque pushed for the establishment of more Internet sites but the foreign contractor established only 1,000 of the 10,000 proposed sites.
Roque said he convinced the Department of Information and Technology (DICT) to take over what the foreign contractor had failed to finish.
“(Ang) DICT na po ‘yung gumagawa at nangako naman po ang DICT na mas mapapabilis ang pag-iinstall ng free wifi spots dahil kung hindi po lalong naantala yung blended learning,” the former presidential spokesperson said.
The DICT has already installed Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) sites over 8,900 spots under the “Free WiFi for All” program, which seeks to access opportunities, education, and information.
At the same time, Roque said the government should completely deregulate private internet providers to give the Filipinos satisfactory service.
“Kung hindi sila makakapagbigay ng magandang serbisyo hahanap tayo. We have to completely deregulate lalung lalo na ‘yung Internet business dahil importante na ngayon hindi lang sa ating ekonomiya kung hindi maging sa pang araw araw na buhay ang connectivity,” he said.
“We have to exercise the full power of the state para mapanagot po at masiguro na itong right to connectivity ay maibigay natin sa taong bayan,” he added.
