A consumer advocacy group has urged the government and development finance institutions to take a more active role in financing the country’s digital infrastructure, warning that the Philippines risks falling behind global standards if it continues to rely primarily on telecommunications companies to fund the country’s digital transformation, according to Philstar Biz.
The group pointed out that the current model, which depends heavily on private sector investment by telcos, has left many areas underserved, particularly in rural and remote regions. Without government intervention and support from development banks, the digital divide is expected to widen further.
The advocacy group called for the creation of a dedicated digital infrastructure fund, supported by multilateral lenders and government financial institutions, to accelerate the rollout of broadband networks. It said such a fund would help ensure that the Philippines can compete globally in the digital economy.