MANILA, Philippines-a bill seeking for free public Wi-fi in national government offices, municipal halls and provincial capitols, state colleges and universities, public parks and plazas, state hospitals, and public terminals has been accepted on third and final reading.
The House of Representatives has passed on the reading the House Bill 1550 or the Free Public Wi-Fi Act.
The principal author of HB 1550 urged the government for democratic access of the Internet.
“The Free Public Wi-Fi Act seeks to move government one step forward in providing democratic access to the Internet,” Kabataan party-list Representative Terry Ridon said in his explanatory note to the bill.
The proposed law covers mandatory installation of broadband hotspots.
“One way to foster this democratic participation is by at least provide the people access to the Internet in many, if not all, of our government buildings and public establishments,” Ridon said.
The pushed for the bill has also gained the support of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines calling it as a “valuable public sector contribution.”
Department of Science and Technology, meanwhile, will begin the implementation of its free-wifi access across the country in July.
The bill was principally authored by Ridon and Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit, who also sits as the chairman of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology.
According to the bill, no password or fees will be required to tap in the network, “except when there is a clear and present security or technical risk.”
H/T: Rappler.com; Manila Times
