Globe Telecom is supporting national and local government efforts to create a single, unified policy for underground conduit infrastructure, aiming to curb rampant fiber cable theft that frequently disrupts internet and mobile services across the country.
The proposal was submitted by Globe through the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Digital Infrastructure sector. It lays out a coordinated national framework covering the planning, construction, rollout, and management of all underground conduit systems for digital cables.
The framework is designed to fix inconsistent implementation among different local government units (LGUs), set uniform national technical standards, name a lead agency to oversee nationwide deployment, and define clear responsibilities for maintaining digital infrastructure.
The proposal comes as the country enforces the “Dig Once” policy under Section 17 of Republic Act No. 12234, or the Konektadong Pinoy Act—making the push especially timely.
As the country’s digital economy grows, reliable digital infrastructure has become more critical than ever. Yet network reliability remains under threat from climate-related disasters, accidental damage, and intentional fiber cuts. Globe recorded over 14,000 fiber cut incidents in 2025 alone, underscoring the urgent need for stronger infrastructure solutions.
Froi Castelo, Globe general counsel and president of the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), said a unified policy will bring the consistency needed to make underground infrastructure projects faster and more efficient nationwide.
“A common policy for shared use of underground conduit infrastructure will give the industry a standard framework for planning, deployment and long-term management. Clear rules and consistent national standards will speed up network expansion, improve resistance to service disruptions, and optimize investments that ultimately benefit consumers and the country’s digital economy,” Castelo said.
Building stronger network resilience has long been part of Globe’s infrastructure plan. The company has completed over 1,500 kilometers of underground fiber facilities so far, and reports fewer fiber cut problems in areas where these lines are installed.
Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for service planning and engineering, said robust digital infrastructure should be treated as a core part of the country’s basic public works.
“Digital infrastructure is now as essential as roads and power systems. A unified underground conduit framework can help the country build networks that are more reliable, and better able to support the Philippines’ growing digital economy,” Agustin said.
Under the proposed policy, national agencies and LGUs will collaborate on a National Underground Conduits Master Plan to guide expansion and ensure consistent infrastructure planning nationwide. The proposal also calls for universal technical standards and a governance system for the long-term operation and shared use of these underground facilities.
Globe said these measures can speed up infrastructure installation, prevent unnecessary duplicate investments, strengthen network reliability, and give telecom providers a clearer, more predictable guide as they expand networks across the Philippines.
