POE URGES BETTER TELCO SERVICES IN PH

Sen. Grace Poe on Monday urged telecommunications firms to improve their services to millions of subscribers in the country.

While the world constantly shifts to digital platforms and several countries are increasingly upgrading, the Philippines ranks near bottom in Internet speed globally.

"Hanggang ngayon ubod pa rin ng kupad [ang Internet connection]. Hindi naman ito para lamang sa social media, kailangan natin ng mabilis na connection dahil kapag nagreresearch tayo, kapag meron tayong mga mahal sa buhay sa ibang bansa, kapag meron tayong importanteng kailangang sabihin sa ating pamilya, maganda sana na mabilis ang Internet," Poe said during the 10th year anniversary of the College of Our Lady of Mercy of Pulilan Foundation Inc. in Baliuag, Bulacan on Monday, Feb. 5.

Poe said Internet speed in the Philippines, which is considered the world's social media capital for the third consecutive year, is crucial especially for families of overseas Filipino workers who wish to connect with their loved ones abroad.

According to the 2018 Global Digital report conducted by creative agency We Are Social and social media management platform Hootsuite, Filipinos spent an average of three hours and 57 minutes on social media last year. The Philippines was followed by Brazil and Indonesia with an average of three hours and 39 minutes and three hours and 23 minutes, respectively.

As for Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, mobile broadband speeds in the country went down four notches--from 90th to 94th place.

Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, then called on the country's virtual duopoly--Globe and Smart--to speed up putting up of cell sites for better coverage.

"Palagi kong sinasabi sa Globe at Smart, bilisan na ninyo ang pagtatayo ng inyong mga cellsites para mas malinaw ang signal, hindi palaging napuputol at mabilis ang internet service," she added.

Meanwhile, Poe rallied youngsters to use Internet responsibly and reminded them not to fall prey to the hate culture online.

"Naniniwala ako na kung maayos mong gagamitin ang Internet, maganda itong kasangkapan para maipaabot sa ating mga kababayan ang tunay na nangyayari sa ating bayan.

She said many people are using the Internet to sow hate, cause divisions and attack personalities.

"Ako ay naniniwala sa kalayaan ng bawat isa na maihayag ang kanilang saloobin, pero sa ating mga kababayan, lalung-lalo na sa mga teenager, huwag nating gamitin ang internet sa pambubully. Importante rin na mayroon tayong paggalang sa isa't-isa. Importante rin na may malasakit tayo," she added.