RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICES TO INQUIRE, LOOK INTO

AND INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE ALLEGED POOR DELIVERY OF SERVICES AND FRAUDULENT PRACTICES COMMITTED BY TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES WITH THE END IN VIEW OF PROTECTING THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC CONSUMER.

WHEREAS, the state recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation building;

WHEREAS, R.A. 7925 provides for the promotion of consumer welfare by facilitating access to telecommunications services whose infrastructure and network must be geared towards the needs of individual and business users;

WHEREAS, there has been a considerable growth in the Philippine wireless and landline market with its subscriber base projected to reach over 3.5 million and 7 million respectively, by the end of the year;

WHEREAS, several complaints have reached the National Telecommunications Commission for poor delivery of services by local cellular providers ranging from dropped calls, poor reception, hard to reach calls, and blocking of access to another cellular provider among other things;

WHEREAS, digital cellular companies have likewise been accused of unfairly trading their pre-paid cell cards by only allowing their subscribers to consume the value of their cards within two months from the date of its activation, otherwise their remaining credits will be erased thereby barring all outgoing calls;

WHEREAS, on the other hand, post paid subscribers of cellular and landline companies have reported encountering billing problems like delayed delivery of billing statement, erroneous billing and billing discrepancies causing a surge on their call charges;

WHEREAS, in this era of information technology, it is but necessary to compel local telecom companies to provide a communication system with utmost diligence, in order to deliver service that will be beneficial and not detrimental to millions of consuming public;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved to direct the Committee on Public Services to inquire, look into and investigate, in aid of legislation on the alleged poor delivery of services and fraudulent practices committed by telecommunication companies to the end in view of protecting the interest of the public consumer.

ADOPTED,

(Sgd)
VICENTE C. SOTTO III
Senator