Telecommunications company Globe Telecom has expressed support for the government’s review of the National Building Code, saying the update is an opportunity to treat internet connectivity as essential infrastructure in future building and road projects.
The review comes as the Department of Public Works and Highways moves to modernize the nearly 50-year-old National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096), which was first introduced in 1977 and last revised in 2005.
Under Special Order No. 155 issued on April 7, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon reconstituted the National Building Code Review Committee to update engineering standards and align regulations with present-day construction practices, safety concerns, climate risks, and emerging technologies.
Globe said the review is significant because digital connectivity has become increasingly important in daily life, with more Filipinos relying on the internet for education, healthcare, business, and government services. The company noted that connectivity is now widely regarded as a “fifth utility,” alongside electricity, water, transport, and other basic services.
“Connectivity today is a fundamental human right,” said Carl Cruz, president and CEO of Globe. He said incorporating connectivity into building standards would help improve network expansion and reduce the need for costly retrofitting of buildings to support internet infrastructure.
Globe added that updated standards could encourage developers to include fiber-ready systems and in-building connectivity solutions in residential, commercial, and public projects. This would help improve internet reliability and speed, especially in densely populated and newly developed areas.
According to Joel Agustin, Globe’s senior vice president for Service Planning and Engineering, modernizing the code would support faster network rollout, better service quality, and the country’s long-term digital transformation goals.
The company said it will continue working with government and industry stakeholders to promote policies that support inclusive connectivity and future-ready infrastructure across the country.
