Gov’t, development lenders urged to invest in PH’s digital infrastructure

MANILA, Philippines — Consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch PH has called on the national government and other development lenders to invest in the country’s digital infrastructure, emphasizing that the broader participation of both is needed to build world-class digital networks.

CitizenWatch PH co-convenor lawyer Kit Belmonte noted that the “real challenge” has evolved from the expansion of internet access to financing the digital backbone in the country to determine if it can compete on the global scene.

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The group then cited its review of publicly disclosed financial statements submitted from 2011 to 2025, showing that major telecommunications and broadband providers invested more than P1.8 trillion in capital expenditures for the expansion and modernization of digital infrastructures across the country.

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“These investments demonstrate the private sector’s commitment to building the country’s digital backbone,” Belmonte said in a recent press release.

“But achieving nationwide fiberization and bringing the Philippines closer to global digital infrastructure standards will require a broader financing partnership involving government, development finance institutions and private capital,” Belmonte added.

However, Belmonte noted that addressing the digital infrastructure gap should not be relied on telecommunications providers alone, emphasizing that investing in digital networks creates job opportunities, public services, and long-term economic growth.

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With this, he said that the “government should invest where the market alone cannot,” adding that public financing encourages faster expansion in the private sector.

“The Philippines should adopt the same sense of urgency. Financing fiber networks cannot remain the responsibility of telecommunications companies alone. It must become a shared national investment among government, development finance institutions and the private sector if we are to catch up with global digital infrastructure standards and create better opportunities for every Filipino,” he expressed. /cb

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