By Billy Begas
The House Committee on Information and Communications Technology has approved the substitute bill establishing the No Call, No Text Registration System.
Committee chairperson and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco approved the substitute bill for House Bill Nos. 270, 2209, 2612, 4251, 4380, 4555, 5094; and HRs 43, 44, 323, 334, 337, 412, and 457 including its amendments.
Tiangco said the measure seeks to protect mobile phone subscribers from unwanted calls and texts and “encourage the adoption by marketing and sales agents of a more responsible and accountable business practice as it is imperative that the interest and privacy of mobile phone subscribers are protected, and their right and freedom to choose their transactions are upheld.”
Under the proposal, a registry system will be created where individuals who do not want to receive text or call from marketing companies can register.
Meanwhile, the committee also created a technical working group (TWG) to consolidate and study HBs 43, 2172, and 4190, which seek to eliminate the Spectrum User Fee (SUF) being charged to telecommunication companies.
AGIMAT party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla will head the TWG.
Tiangco said removing the SUF could lead to more affordable internet connectivity.
During the deliberation, Cyber and Emerging Technologies Advisor Karla Cruz also suggested using the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) radio bands and UHF frequencies to provide cheaper internet services nationwide.
Instead of removing, National Telecommunications Commission Director Atty. Andres Castelar Jr. urged the panel to instead direct the NTC to formulate a regulation to further reduce the SUF.
