Health groups push for Konektadong Pinoy bill signing

ABOUT FIFTY-THREE Philippine medical and healthcare Philippine medical and healthcare associations are urging President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to sign the Konektadong Pinoy bill into law, citing the need for connectivity to advance healthcare system in the country.

“Without connectivity, many rural health units cannot view or submit electronic records and conduct other critical tasks. This represents a barrier to healthcare access for many communities in the countryside,” Philippine Medical Association President Hector Santos said in a media release on Monday.

The group said the digital divide has resulted in a drop in telemedicine in the country, which is largely caused by poor connectivity.

To recall, Philippine telecommunications companies urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to veto the Konektadong Pinoy bill, objecting to cybersecurity risks and the removal of Congressional oversight called for by the legislation.

Last month, Malacañang said that Mr. Marcos will be reviewing the bill, which is a priority measure for the administration.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has said that it is confident that the bill will be signed into law.

The Senate and House of Representatives ratified on June 9 the bicameral conference committee report of Konektadong Pinoy.

The current version of the measure contained provisions that pose a threat to the industry, according to telecommunications companies, citing the two-year grace period given to data transmission companies to ensure their systems are secure. — Ashley Erika O. Jose