MANIFESTATION OF SENATOR CHRISTOPHER "BONG" GO DURING THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICES HEARING ON LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISES

Madame Chair, if I may, I just want to manifest my intent to support these measures which will be greatly beneficial for our country. Fellow colleagues here in the Senate, our resource persons, and everyone in attendance, a pleasant afternoon to all of you.

Madame Chair, our Constitution recognizes the role of communication and information in nation building. Rightly so, these two elements play a crucial role in saving countless lives amidst all the calamities that have stricken the country.

Magmula sa sunog, bagyo, at kahit sa pandemyang ating kinakaharap ngayon, kailangan po na interconnected at well-informed ang mga Pilipino upang makapaghanda ng maayos at makaiwas sa anumang peligro. Ito mismo ang aking reyalisasyon habang nag-iikot sa bansa, habang tumutulong sa ating mga kababayan na nasasalanta ng iba't-ibang sakuna.

Let me stress that the applicants in today's hearing, like DITO Telecommunity, assist the Government and its people through means of telecommunication since connectivity and access to information is of public importance, especially during these trying times.

I would like to commend the efforts and sincerity of DITO, the country's third telco player, in improving connectivity in the Philippines. Despite the economic turmoil caused by COVID-19, DITO was recently able to fulfill its commitment to the Government of providing internet coverage to 37 percent of the Philippine population with a minimum average broadband speed of 27 MBPS. DITO is now preparing for full rollout, making information dissemination in our country through telecommunication more efficient and stable.

To the respective managements of our legislative franchise applicants, always keep in mind that the issuance of a franchise is not the end of the story; rather, it is only the beginning. I implore you to fulfill your promises to the nation, especially since you are engaged in public service. Your franchise is not a right but a mere privilege that can be revoked once you violate your undertakings. Malaki po ang tiwala namin dito sa Senado at ng lahat ng mga Pilipino na makakatulong kayo sa tuloy-tuloy na pag-unlad ng ating bayan.

In addition, Madame Chair, I would also like to reiterate my earlier support for broadcasting franchise applicants like the City Government of Davao, and 'yun pong private entities, like Palawan Broadcasting Corporation, Rolin Broadcasting Enterprises, Inc. and Baycomms Broadcasting Corporation, for their dedication to public service. We thank the committee for its support to these measures.

Maraming salamat po, Madame Chair.