State of Philippine telcos

Breaking the Barriers: Why the Philippines Needs to Support Telco Upgrades Now

Inadequate internet connectivity in the Philippines is a three-decade-old issue, and although we tend to blame telco corporations, the situation is more complex. Connectivity doesn't just "fall from the sky." It's constructed—cable by cable, tower by tower—by private entities who require access to communities in order to upkeep and upgrade their networks.

Wikipedia image

Last week, Globe Telecom made a rare public comment revealing a concealed barrier to quality internet service: unreasonable charges, excessive fees, and downright refusal from some homeowners' associations (HOAs) that are stalling critical infrastructure work.

The Hidden Roadblocks

Some gated residential villages, reports Globe, have pushed the concept of access control to an extreme:

• ₱100,000 "access fee" in one village—without even stating for how long it's effective.
• ₱5,000 daily fee imposed in another, irrespective of work type.
• Other HOAs prohibit the extension of fiber facilities outright, giving residents no upgrade choices.

These obstructions don't only hold up expansion—they block emergency maintenance and repair work. The consequence? Residents, usually at premium rates, are left with shaky connections or total service loss.

The Legal Side: HOAs Cannot Block Utility Access

This is not merely an issue of inconvenience, but also a breach of entrenched laws and policies.

Republic Act 9904 (Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners' Associations) explicitly forbids the prevention of utility service providers from installing, maintaining, or disconnecting services under a ratified contract.

Department Order No. 2022-012 (DHSUD) specifically states that the permission of HOAs is not necessary for the laying of cables on existing poles, underground ducts, or other established telco infrastructure.

In other words: telcos have the right to enter these communities for legitimate service works, and HOAs have no legal grounds to block them.

Why This Matters to All Filipinos

Regardless of whether you're in a gated village or a small barangay, the effects of these blockades propagate throughout the entire network:

1. Slower upgrades – Blocking growth means delayed rollouts of fiber, 5G, and other next-gen technologies.
2. Postponed repairs – Longer closures equal more outages for residents.
3. Slowed economic development – Stable internet is essential for remote work, online learning, e-commerce, and tourism. Without it, they get left behind.
4. International competitiveness – The country is already low on international internet speed rankings. Having more artificial obstacles only makes us worse.

Why Telco Upgrades Are Non-Negotiable

Digital connectivity is no longer a luxury—it's a minimum requirement for:

• Students who take online classes
• Employees who work in work-from-home arrangements
• Businesses which operate e-commerce platforms
• Government services that depend on online platforms

Unless we keep upgrading our networks, we risk losing further ground to our ASEAN neighbors as they leapfrog towards smart cities, AI-facilitated logistics, and super-fast internet infrastructure.

What Needs to Change?

1. Increased LGU Intervention – Local governments need to ensure HOAs are conforming to national regulations.
2. Public Awareness – People should realize that improved connectivity directly benefits them.
3. Strict Penalties – Fines for HOAs stopping legal infrastructure work could discourage misuse.
4. Faster Permitting Processes – Even outside gated communities, bureaucracy by the government is holding back telco projects.

Final Thoughts

The struggle to have faster, more stable internet in the Philippines is not all about the tech—it's about breaking down human barriers. Globe's findings indicate that at times the greatest barriers are not the wires, towers, or expense, but the ones we build ourselves.

If we really want to fill in the digital divide, HOAs and local government must cease acting as gatekeepers and begin as partners in progress. The legislation is already in place—it's time to implement them and get each Filipino online.

So the next time you experience slow internet, lagging connection, you should know who's to blame first.

Salary increase is not a solution, here's why

When Senator Risa Hontiveros said that the salary increase is good news, she thinks that she's already brilliant if she finally gets want she want? She thinks that she's doing her job in the Senate? Even if we add thousands of pesos for the minimum wage in the whole country, nothing much will change. The unfortunate workers and the public in general will still be stuck in the vicious restrictive economic environment.

The move to this increase in the minimum wage will result to the reduction of manpower of local businesses that can't afford the increase. Hontiveros, being a co-sponsor needs to hear the side of small entrepreneurs first.

In our country where competition is limited, simply increasing salaries may not be an effective solution for several reasons. Proponents of this measure should consider these reasons why:

• Cost Constraints: Many businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), may struggle to afford significant salary increases due to tight profit margins and financial constraints. Increasing salaries without corresponding increases in revenue could lead to higher operating costs and potential layoffs or business closures.
• Inflationary Pressures: Salary increases without corresponding improvements in productivity or profitability can contribute to inflationary pressures. This can erode the purchasing power of consumers, especially those on fixed incomes, and exacerbate socio-economic inequalities. NEDA reported that salary increase will affect inflation.
• Lack of Productivity Gains: In a market with limited competition, businesses may not face sufficient pressure to improve efficiency, invest in innovation, or enhance productivity. Without productivity gains, increasing salaries could strain company resources without yielding commensurate benefits.
• Skill Mismatch: Simply raising salaries may not address underlying issues related to skills gaps or mismatches between the qualifications of workers and the demands of available jobs. Investing in education, training, and workforce development programs may be more effective in addressing these challenges.
• Competitiveness Concerns: In industries where international competition is a factor, unilaterally increasing salaries without corresponding improvements in productivity or quality could erode the competitiveness of Philippine businesses in global markets. Our country should focus reforms in the economic policies, specialy in opening our country to foreign investors who can bring job opportunities and higher salaries here.

Instead of relying solely on salary increases, policymakers (like Risa Hontiveros, Juan Miguel Zubiri, etc.) and businesses should pursue a multifaceted approach to address labor market challenges and promote sustainable economic growth. This may include improving the business environment to foster competition, investing in infrastructure and technology to enhance productivity, promoting skills development and education, and implementing targeted social welfare programs to support vulnerable workers.

To present a better solution to this, is to have our economy open to Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) through economic charter change. NEDA said that we could have attracted investments if only Philippines is more open. Doing so, the increase in salary comes naturally even without legislation which is just a waste of people's tax money. This will make our country attrative to foreign investors. Doing so, the increase of salary will follow naturally without making a legislation. It's just simple as Law of Supply and Demand, in case these Senators don't know it.

Earthquake preparedness

Introduction

Earthquakes can happen anywhere, at any time. It's important to be prepared in case of an earthquake, and that's why we've put together this comprehensive guide on how to be earthquake prepared.

Inside, you'll find tips on how to create an emergency kit, what to do during and after an earthquake, and how to protect your family and property. So, whether you're a first-time homeowner or a seasoned earthquake veteran, make sure to read through this guide and put our tips into practice. You never know when the next big earthquake will hit.

You're probably wondering how to be earthquake prepared. And that's a good question—because earthquakes can happen anywhere, at any time.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about being earthquake prepared. From creating a disaster plan to stocking up on supplies, we'll walk you through the steps you need to take to make sure you and your loved ones are safe during an earthquake.

The Science Behind Earthquakes

earthquakes happen when two plates of the Earth's crust rub against each other. The force of the movement creates an earthquake.

The Earth's plates are always moving. But sometimes they move too quickly and that's when we get earthquakes. The force of the two plates rubbing against each other creates an earthquake.

Most earthquakes happen along the Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped area that runs around the Pacific Ocean. It's where most of the Earth's earthquakes happen.

Earthquake Preparedness Basics

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from an earthquake is to be prepared. That means having a plan and being ready to take action when the shaking starts.

There are some basic preparedness steps that everyone should take, regardless of where they live:

• Know the evacuation routes from your home, work and school.
• If you live in an earthquake-prone area, have a disaster kit packed and ready to go.
• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher and First Aid kit in your home.
• Practice drop, cover and hold on. When an earthquake starts, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops.

What to Do During an Earthquake

If you're indoors when the earthquake hits, the first thing you should do is drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on to it. If there isn't a piece of furniture nearby that you can use for cover, sit against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your hands and arms.

If you're outdoors, find an open area away from buildings, trees, power lines, and anything else that could fall on you. Once you're in an open area, drop to the ground and assume the fetal position to protect your vital organs.

If you're in a moving vehicle, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Once you've stopped, put your parking brake on and stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops.

What to Do After an Earthquake

After an earthquake, it’s important that you check for injuries and get to a safe location. If you are indoors, stay there until the shaking stops. Drop down to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on to it until the shaking stops. If there is no table or desk nearby, sit against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms.

If you are outdoors, stay in the open away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines. Once in the open, drop down to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops.

If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as possible and stay in the vehicle. Do not attempt to drive over a bridge or through an area with downed power lines or damaged buildings.

Conclusion

To sum up, being earthquake prepared means having a plan and being ready for whatever comes your way. It's important to have supplies on hand, know how to turn off utilities, and be aware of potential hazards.

Although it's impossible to predict when or where an earthquake will strike, by being prepared, you can minimize the risk of injury and damage.

Keep from the ashes

Photos not mine but from workmates. Keep safe everyone who is affected for the explosion of Taal Volcano. You may try to visit the link here to learn more the benefits of Volcanic eruption and its ashes.