MANILA — A group of lawmakers is calling for a congressional inquiry into what they describe as “expensive, slow and inaccessible” internet services in the Philippines.

Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the country continues to lag behind its neighbors in Asia despite technological advances, citing gaps in affordability, speed, and accessibility.

“The necessary laws are in place, the newest of which is Konektadong Pinoy Act. But something is not right. We need internet in many aspects of our life. Yet, half of Pinoys are not konektado (connected),” Romualdez said.

Deputy Speakers David Suarez of Quezon and Jay Khonghun of Zambales earlier filed House Resolution No. 823, urging the Committee on Information and Communications Technology to “conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the reliability, quality, affordability and consumer remedies relating to internet and data transmission services in the country.”

“The access to reliable, affordable and high-quality internet and data transmission services has become essential to productivity-led growth and the delivery of critical public and private services, including education, healthcare, financial inclusion, disaster resilience and commerce,” Romualdez said.

Suarez cited House policy research showing that only 48.8 percent of households had internet access at home in 2024, leaving more than half “unconnected and/or underserved.”

“The same research also found that affordability was a binding barrier, with a majority of offline households citing high subscription cost as a principal reason for not having internet access at home,” Suarez said.

Khonghun noted that as of March 2025, the Philippines ranked 53rd out of 154 countries in broadband speed, according to the Department of Information and Technology. He also cited a report by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, which found the Philippines had the costliest monthly internet among the ASEAN-5 at USD44.93 (around PHP2,678) and ranked 32nd globally in terms of cost.

“The country’s internet connectivity continues to lag behind its regional peers in terms of affordability, speed and access,” Khonghun said.

The lawmakers warned that inadequate connectivity disproportionately affects students from low-income households, creating barriers to learning, digital exclusion, and unequal educational outcomes.