Dr. Giovanni Tapang
September 19, 2007
Scientists highlight need for a genuine national information network, not a network of lies, corruption and kickbacks,
When people do not have access to information services and telecommunications, and governance is hampered by slow coordination between the national and local government units, any improvement to the use and access of new technology is always welcome.
However, this should not be left to private companies to do, or worse, be a platform for corruption of a few. Unfortunately, that appears to be the case with the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal entered into by the government and the ZTE Corporation.
The NBN contract, instead of providing genuinely accessible communication facilities to the countryside, seemed to have been signed just to fatten pockets of some government officials. Even if the NBN deal improves the communications between government agencies, it will still fail to sustain a national communications network because of the corruption and kickbacks of the current administration and its dependence on foreign technologies, expertise and financing.
For instance, the envisioned network will be financed by a government loan from the Chinese government as an Official Development Assistance (ODA). ODAs involving tied loans will favor the Chinese government and Chinese companies but not the Filipino people. In the end, the
Philippine government will need to obtain millions from Filipino taxpayers to repay the debts incurred from the deal.
Another view is expressed by economists Fabella and de Dios, who assert that the NBN deal should be left to private telecommunications firms. They strongly abhor government control on the telecommunications industry which has expanded service coverage only in profitable areas. But was privatization ever beneficial to the people?
We can cite the power industry experience under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) as an example of the failed promises of privatization. Contrary to what has been claimed during the passage of the law, the EPIRA has not caused any real decrease in power rates. Aside from the initial and fleeting 30 centavo Power Act reduction, there has been no substantial decrease in power rates due to the EPIRA. Instead, the EPIRA has legitimized the onerous Purchased Power Adjustments from contracts entered into by the NAPOCOR and has
led to increasing rates.
As advocates of science and technology for the people, we from AGHAM maintain that infrastructures such as a telecommunications backbone should be a responsibility of the government. Such a network which can provide the countryside with accessible communications facility must be part of the government services provided to facilitate industrial activity, commercial trading and domestic day-to-day activities.
Improving telecommunication services by using modern technologies, without corruption and foreign interests, will always be a welcome development for the people.
When people do not have access to information services and telecommunications, and governance is hampered by slow coordination between the national and local government units, any improvement to the use and access of new technology is always welcome.
However, this should not be left to private companies to do, or worse, be a platform for corruption of a few. Unfortunately, that appears to be the case with the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal entered into by the government and the ZTE Corporation.
The NBN contract, instead of providing genuinely accessible communication facilities to the countryside, seemed to have been signed just to fatten pockets of some government officials. Even if the NBN deal improves the communications between government agencies, it will still fail to sustain a national communications network because of the corruption and kickbacks of the current administration and its dependence on foreign technologies, expertise and financing.
For instance, the envisioned network will be financed by a government loan from the Chinese government as an Official Development Assistance (ODA). ODAs involving tied loans will favor the Chinese government and Chinese companies but not the Filipino people. In the end, the
Philippine government will need to obtain millions from Filipino taxpayers to repay the debts incurred from the deal.
Another view is expressed by economists Fabella and de Dios, who assert that the NBN deal should be left to private telecommunications firms. They strongly abhor government control on the telecommunications industry which has expanded service coverage only in profitable areas. But was privatization ever beneficial to the people?
We can cite the power industry experience under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) as an example of the failed promises of privatization. Contrary to what has been claimed during the passage of the law, the EPIRA has not caused any real decrease in power rates. Aside from the initial and fleeting 30 centavo Power Act reduction, there has been no substantial decrease in power rates due to the EPIRA. Instead, the EPIRA has legitimized the onerous Purchased Power Adjustments from contracts entered into by the NAPOCOR and has
led to increasing rates.
As advocates of science and technology for the people, we from AGHAM maintain that infrastructures such as a telecommunications backbone should be a responsibility of the government. Such a network which can provide the countryside with accessible communications facility must be part of the government services provided to facilitate industrial activity, commercial trading and domestic day-to-day activities.
Improving telecommunication services by using modern technologies, without corruption and foreign interests, will always be a welcome development for the people.
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