Medical and Healthcare Organizations Urge President Marcos to Sign Konektadong Pinoy Act

Strategic Insights -

More than 50 leading medical and healthcare organizations in the Philippines have jointly called on President Marcos to sign the Konektadong Pinoy Act into law, citing the critical need for improved internet connectivity to achieve universal healthcare. The organizations warn that poor connectivity threatens to derail the goals of universal healthcare and hinder the country's ability to deliver basic medical services. Without connectivity, many rural health units are unable to view or submit electronic records, conduct other critical tasks, and access essential medical services. The lack of digital infrastructure is hindering the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Law (RA 11223), which mandates the use of electronic medical records to improve patient care and health outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • 53 medical and healthcare organizations, including the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine College of Physicians, and Philippine Heart Association, have jointly urged President Marcos to sign the Konektadong Pinoy Act into law.
  • The groups warn that poor connectivity threatens to derail the goals of universal healthcare and impede the country's ability to deliver basic medical services.
  • 19,000 barangays (45% of the country's total) still lack digital infrastructure, while over a third of households remain unconnected, according to DICT data.
  • Telemedicine usage has declined post-pandemic, largely due to persistent internet limitations.
  • The Konektadong Pinoy Act aims to close the connectivity gap by streamlining permitting, strengthening competition, and mandating digital access in unserved and underserved areas.
  • The Act is backed by the DICT, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).
  • Private sector and civil society organizations, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex), have also endorsed the bill.
  • The PCTO has raised concerns about certain provisions, citing unequal regulatory obligations and overly broad open access rules.

Statistics:

  • 19,000 barangays lack digital infrastructure, representing 45% of the country's total (DICT data).
  • Over a third of households remain unconnected (DICT data).
  • 35 private sector and civil society organizations have endorsed the Konektadong Pinoy Act.

Sources:

  • Philippine Medical Association (mentioned in the original text as "PHP", but exact source not provided)
  • Hector Santos, Philippine Medical Association President
  • Antonio Dans, president of the Asia-Pacific Center for Evidence-Based Health Care
  • Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
  • Philippine Communications and Telecommunications Operators (PCTO)
  • Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)
  • Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex)
  • Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (Ulap)
  • Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev)
  • Philippine Competition Commission (PCC)