Joel Dabao on Bilyonaryo: Why the Konektadong Pinoy Bill Is About More Than Just Internet

Just came from my interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel—and I’m feeling hopeful. | Jose Luis Dabao

Just came from my interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel—and I’m feeling hopeful. We talked about the Konektadong Pinoy Bill and why it’s not just about internet—it’s about equity, access, and economic opportunity. Among my favorite points: 📉 “We can expect internet costs to go down.” Connectivity is measured as a % of income. As we bring broadband to more countryside communities, we also bring jobs—and raise incomes. At the same time, more players in the ecosystem mean lower costs to reach the last mile. Everyone wins. 📜 “So much weight is placed on the congressional franchise—as if it guarantees service and security.” But both the Senate and the House, who grant the franchise, reviewed this bill and agreed: the bills’s new guardrails are sound. Performance will be monitored quarterly, and the public will be able to see who’s delivering and who isn’t. This isn’t about lowering the bar. It’s about clearing the path—for the places that have waited long enough. #KonektadongPinoy #DigitalEquity #LastMileFirst #BilyonaryoInterview #KCAT

LinkedInJose Luis Dabao

Fresh from his interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel, Jose Luis “Joel” Dabao — digital inclusion advocate and community-centric strategist — offered sharp, grounded insights into the Konektadong Pinoy Bill and its deeper implications for national development.

This wasn’t just a policy discussion — it was a call to action. For Joel, this bill represents more than infrastructure. It represents access, equity, and opportunity, especially for communities that have long been on the losing end of connectivity.

📉 "We Can Expect Internet Costs to Go Down"

As Joel explained, connectivity isn't measured only in speed — it's measured as a percentage of income. In many rural areas, broadband is disproportionately expensive. The bill changes that by enabling competition, expanding infrastructure, and driving costs down at the edge.

“When we connect the countryside, we also create jobs, raise incomes, and lower access costs. Everyone benefits.”

📜 "A Congressional Franchise Doesn’t Guarantee Service"

Joel also challenged a longstanding myth: that a congressional franchise ensures good service.

“There’s too much weight placed on the franchise — but what really matters is performance.”

Under the new bill, telcos and providers will be held to quarterly performance benchmarks, with publicly accessible data showing who’s delivering and who isn’t. Both the House and Senate signed off on this framework — a clear signal that accountability is no longer optional.

This is not about lowering standards. As Joel made clear, this is about removing the barriers that have kept communities offline and out of the digital economy.

“This bill clears the path — for the places that have waited long enough.”

Joel Dabao continues to champion policies and partnerships that put people first, especially at the digital margins. With leaders like him pushing the conversation forward, the country’s digital future looks a lot more inclusive.

#KonektadongPinoy #DigitalEquity #JoelDabao #LastMileFirst #BilyonaryoInterview #KCAT