Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his administration’s stance to drastically improve the country’s telecommunications and power sectors through the allowance of foreign providers.

“The only way to make this country move faster to benefit the poor is really to open up communications, the airwaves, and the entire energy sector. My decision now, at this moment is, bubuksan ko ang Pilipinas,” the President staunchly declared during a press conference after arriving from the APEC Leaders Meeting in New Zealand.

Related: Duterte Reiterates Desire To Open Telecoms, Power Sector To Foreigners

Rappler reported on Thursday that major industry players, PLDT, Globe and Meralco welcomed President Duterte’s declaration as it will “benefit both consumers and the industries.”

“We welcome this development. Vibrant competition will be good for the industry and the country,” PLDT director and head of Regulatory Affairs and Policy Office Ray Espinosa remarked in a text message reply.

Espinosa added that his company is “investing massively to build the fastest and most advanced data-centric fixed and mobile networks in the country to deliver progressively better and affordable services.”

Globe’s VP of corporate communications, Yoly Crisanto: “It is the call of the President what he believes will benefit both consumers and the industry. Globe was never against the entry of other players – whether foreign or local.”

Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said that Meralco “fully supports the President.”

“In fact, a recent study by the International Energy Consultants (IEC) said the country should focus on facilitating investments in new generation capacity to meet demand growth and promote competition,” Zaldarriaga added.

“The President’s decisive moves to fast-track regulatory and legislative initiatives will foster competition,” according to the Internet Society – Philippines.

“The Philippines has been falling behind for over a decade, and it is time for clear, positive action that will enhance business competitiveness and support national development,” said Winthrop Yu, chairman of the society.

“Telco promos and promises do not constitute ‘improvement,’ ordinary Filipino people know this and are painfully aware of continuing poor and expensive Internet service from the dominant duopoly,” he lamented.

Source: Rappler