Vision
PCCI is the voice of Philippine business recognized by government and international institutions. As a proactive catalyst of development, PCCI promotes and supports the drive for globally competitive Philippine enterprises in partnership with government, local chambers, and other business organizations.
Mission
The main responsibility of PCCI is to provide focused advocacy for business growth and sustainable development by providing business services for the advancement of grassroots entrepreneurship, chamber development, international trade relations, business innovation and excellence, and operating efficiency. These will be achieved through a professional organization working in close cooperation with various stakeholders in public and private sectors.
PCCI partners with DICT to pilot-test internet via satellite
As efforts accelerate to enable internet access across the country, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is collaborating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and private sector satellite service providers to pilot-test satellite broadband connectivity in remote areas of the country that remain unconnected or have limited connection to the internet.
“Connectivity is a very basic requirement for rebuilding our country's economy and moving forward sustainably," PCCI President George Barcelon said.
Emphasizing that connectivity will support the government, business, and society to function as normal, Barcelon stressed, "As we transition out of the pandemic, remote work and internet-enabled services in education, health, trade and supply chain management, and even government services could remain to be the norm where possible. In this regard, we need to scale up our digital infrastructure."
DICT Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Mr. Jose Arturo de Castro stated that the DICT is currently building digital highways to stimulate economic activity.
“Because of our topography, internet over satellite is one of the best and fastest ways for us to leapfrog into the future of digital connectivity,” he said.
According to the DICT 2019 National ICT Household Survey, 88% of barangays do not have access to free Wi-Fi, 60% do not have cellular towers, and 70% do not have access to fiber-optic cables. Even less than one percent of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have entirely no access to basic network facilities. Unequal access to the internet has unfortunately exposed the digital divide in the Philippines. It is for this reason that PCCI championed the signing of Executive Order 127 in 2021. Said EO amended EO 467 of 1997 to remove the franchise requirement in the access of international satellite systems.
PCCI Innovation Committee Chairman Mr. Perry Ferrer highlighted that it is essential to provide affordable, accessible, and reliable internet access to the underserved and unserved areas wherein Filipinos have significantly less purchasing power than those in the urban areas.
PCCI and DICT agreed that the satellite project should not only benefit MSMEs but more so the LGUs, local clinics, and public schools.
Multiple sectors can likewise experience dramatic impacts, such as agriculture, finance, tourism, and telehealth. “Six to seven out of ten Filipinos go through their entire lives without seeing a doctor and with telehealth innovations, this figure can be lessened,” added Usec. de Castro.
In addition, Barcelon said the internet via satellite can help the Philippines attract more tourists and investments.
Moving the project forward, the PCCI and DICT will be jointly selecting six (6) areas across the Philippines to pilot-test the installation of the internet via satellite.