New DICT Secretary de Claro Takes Office, Vows Cheaper Internet and Faster ISP Licensing

Robert Joseph Montes de Claro formally took charge of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Monday, October 19, in a turnover ceremony with outgoing Secretary Henry Aguda at the department's headquarters in Quezon City, according to NewsBytes.PH, TechWatch PH and GMA News, all of which carried photos provided by the DICT. GMA News noted that the ceremony was Aguda's first public appearance since he resigned a week earlier.

At his first flag ceremony as secretary, de Claro put internet prices at the top of his list. "Hindi tayo titigil hangga't hindi natin mapababa ang presyo ng internet, mapa-improve ang serbisyo ng telco sa ating mamamayan. The Filipinos deserve better service, dapat masulit ang bawat pisong ginagastos ng ating mamamayan sa internet," he said. GMA News translated the Filipino portions as "We will not stop until we lower internet prices and improve telecommunications services for our citizens" and "every peso our citizens spend on internet access should be worth it."

He also said the DICT would reduce red tape and streamline the licensing process for internet service providers, while making sure consumers get the quality of service they pay for, NewsBytes.PH reported. TechWatch PH described the same pledge as reducing bureaucratic requirements for ISPs, and both outlets tied his connectivity priorities to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to improve connectivity nationwide. None of the reports described specific licensing measures or a timeline.

Beyond connectivity, de Claro said he wants the DICT to act as a "lighthouse" for technology-related services, guiding national agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations in using technology to improve public services. He also said organizational changes are needed to strengthen the department's operations.

How he got here

President Marcos announced on October 13 that he had signed de Claro's ad interim appointment, describing him as having "a very strong background in terms of the digital economy," according to The Philippine Star and GMA News. De Claro was president and CEO of the Social Security System at the time and took his oath before the President that day.

Aguda's exit followed a difficult stretch for the department. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed the resignation on October 10, amid Ombudsman investigations into DICT controversies including alleged ghost projects offering Wi-Fi connectivity, and that Marcos confirmed it on October 11. GMA News also linked the resignation to the controversy over the proposed ban on Discord. In a statement carried by the Philippine News Agency, Aguda promised "a smooth and orderly transition."

On the day of his appointment, de Claro set out his first task. "I'll have a thorough review of all the projects, budgets, and procurement in the DICT. And I assure the public that over the next three months, I'll have a clear-cut plan on how to take the DICT to where it should be," he told reporters, according to BusinessMirror.

What ISP licensing looks like now

Any streamlining would build on the Konektadong Pinoy Act, Republic Act No. 12234, which lapsed into law on August 24, 2025. Under Section 8, all data transmission industry participants, a category that covers internet service providers, must register with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the NTC is required to "promulgate a speedy and expeditious administrative process for registration." Operators of international gateway facilities or core and backbone networks need a separate NTC authorization, as does any provider that wants to use radio spectrum.

The law also speaks directly to paperwork. Section 26 limits the processing fees and certifications required to deploy data transmission networks "to those identified by the DICT," and directs the department to craft policies "to minimize the administrative burden of permitting and certification processes." De Claro did not say on Monday whether his licensing push would work through these provisions or go further.