News and Articles
Online Piracy Is Killing the Philippine Entertainment Industry
November 28, 2024Online Piracy Is Killing the Philippine Entertainment Industry The Philippine entertainment industry is facing an existential threat from rampant online piracy. CitizenWatch Philippines is calling on the Senate to pass the long-delayed Online Site Blocking Act to save the entertainment industry from collapse. The Philippine entertainment industry could be contributing billions to the economy if […]
Expand government assistance to private education
November 27, 2024Expand government assistance to private education Statement of CitizenWatch Philippines CitizenWatch Philippines has always acknowledged the immense benefits derived from the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program. Since its inception, the program has helped address overcrowding in public schools and has given necessary support to learners and educators alike. These […]
Statement of Support for the Recent Approval of Senate Bill 2793: Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act
November 20, 2024Statement of Support for the Recent Approval of Senate Bill 2793: Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act CitizenWatch Philippines strongly supports the recent approval of Senate Bill 2793, the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act, which marks a significant milestone in advancing the country’s energy security. This landmark legislation positions natural gas—both indigenous resources and […]
Blocking piracy, saving an industry, protecting consumers
November 18, 2024By Orlando Oxales originally published in The Manila Standard “The site blocking bill is also about shielding Filipino consumers from the hidden dangers of online piracy.” As advocates for consumer protection, we at CitizenWatch Philippines are deeply concerned that rising online piracy is not only stripping our creative industries of their livelihoods but also putting millions […]
There must be stiffer penalties for cable thieves
October 11, 2024There must be stiffer penalties for cable thieves CitizenWatch Philippines calls on the government to institute stiffer penalties against cable theft. It has a significant long-term effect on the country’s digital infrastructure and economy that makes it tantamount to economic sabotage. The National Telecommunication Commission has said these lead to millions of pesos in losses […]
Go after fraudsters instead of amending SIM law
September 24, 2024Go after fraudsters instead of amending SIM law Statement of CitizenWatch Philippines CitizenWatch Philippines cautions the government against amending the SIM Card Registration Law in haste, because the proposal to limit SIM ownership would mean nothing if law enforcement remains weak and incapable of going after fraudsters. The impact of regulating the number of SIMs […]
Oversight Gaps in Konektadong Pinoy Act may backfire
September 13, 2024There is an oversight gap in the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Act, and our lawmakers should consider its implications before passing it into law. In its current form, the bill could result in unintended negative outcomes that could bring more harm than good to broadband users. CitizenWatch is especially concerned with the potential weakening of the […]
Power to the people
April 29, 2024The country’s high-growth areas deserve to be given the opportunity to realize their potential without roadblocks that would impede their progress. If DUs are not able to respond to the need, there must be a way to do justice to these areas’ efforts to grow instead of letting their potential go to waste.
No lease for broadband service installations
April 1, 2024By Orlando Oxales originally published in The Manila Standard “We have been advocating reforms that would update the country’s policies more compatible and adaptable to fast evolving technological innovations of a global digital economy” When the world had to enforce quarantine measures to fight the COVID 19 pandemic, the global shift towards digital technologies for […]
Affordable connectivity for every Filipino, everywhere
March 19, 2024The BBMP cements our aspirations to being a digitally powered nation, its citizens empowered and able to maximize opportunities in this digital age.