THE Baguio City Council approved on first reading the anti-cable internet service provider signal and equipment pilferage ordinance in the city.
Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr., in his proposed measure, said the ordinance will apply to all residents and individuals operating by means of authorized cable installations, access devices, and connections of cable internet within the territorial jurisdiction of the city.
Under the proposed local legislative measure, pilferage of cable internet and cable internet service provider (ISP) signals and equipment will include the unauthorized tapping of the main trunk, distribution and or digital subscriber lines and cable ISP resulting to the interruption in the delivery of the cable signal within the system; unauthorized physical damaging or tampering of any main trunk, distribution and/or drop lines and cable internet and of the data service line and modem in cable internet by an individual or individuals causing cable signal linkages and degradation within the system; illegal splitting into the system within the neighborhood and any other act resulting to prejudice, damage, or disturbance to the cable internet and cable ISP equipment.
Yangot proposed any individual who knowingly and willfully violates any of the pertinent provisions of the proposed ordinance or commits any of the prohibited acts as enumerated shall be punishable a fine not exceeding P1,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than one month at the discretion of the court for the first offense, a fine of P3,000 or imprisonment of not more than three months at the discretion of the court and a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the third offense.
Yangot claimed Section 20 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector in the national economy, encourages the proliferation of private enterprises, and provides incentives to needed investments and as cited in the inclusive internet, the Philippines ranks in the lower half of the Asian countries included in the index and 43rd out of 75 overall.
He said the primary objective of the proposed ordinance is that regulation of the internet service providers should be technology-neutral and service-oriented.
However, Yangot admitted pilferage of internet service providers has increasingly become a prevailing tendency or inclination and putting things in its proper perspective, ISPs are organizations primarily engaged in providing service accessing and using the internet by the nature of its businesses, allowing certain individuals or groups to abscond with IPS signal and equipment is questionably prejudicial damaging, and a threat to them.
The lawmaker claimed, figuratively, “it is killing the hen that lays the golden egg” that is instructive in cases of this enterprise-investors.
As a measure of protection, Yangot explained the crafting of the proposal is purposely to combat ISP signal and equipment pilferages to guarantee the uninterrupted service for the benefit of effective and efficient services to the subscribers and users. (PR)