Globe Telecom Inc. has backed the government’s ongoing review of the National Building Code, saying the update provides an opportunity to recognize digital connectivity as a basic requirement in building and road design.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), under Secretary Vince Dizon, has ordered a comprehensive review of the nearly five-decade-old National Building Code of the Philippines, or Presidential Decree 1096, to make it more responsive to current construction practices, urban development, modern safety standards, and climate risks.
The review also opens the possibility of aligning infrastructure rules with the demands of a digital-first society, where reliable internet access has become central to work, education, healthcare, commerce, and government services.
Special Order No. 155, issued on April 7, reconstituted the National Building Code Review Committee (NBCRC) to address long-standing gaps in engineering standards through professional inputs and updated regulations. The 1977 code was last revised in 2005.
Globe said it is hopeful that the review will consider the growing importance of connectivity, which has increasingly been recognized globally as a “fifth utility,” alongside electricity, water, and transport.
“Connectivity today is a fundamental human right. Enabling connectivity with the right infrastructure powers how people learn, work, and access essential services,” Globe president and chief executive Carl Cruz said.
“We support the government’s efforts to update the National Building Code and are optimistic that connectivity will be considered as a standard utility in how buildings are designed and constructed. This will help the telco industry maximize investments for expansion and increasing capacity instead of paying lease or redoing building structures just to incorporate in-building solutions,” he added.
Globe said integrating connectivity into building standards would help ensure that residential, commercial, and public developments are designed to support reliable and high-quality internet access.
The company said this could include fiber-ready infrastructure, in-building solutions, and more efficient deployment of telecommunications facilities.
According to Globe, existing building frameworks were crafted at a time when digital connectivity was not yet a central part of daily life, creating challenges in delivering consistent service, especially in dense and newly developed areas.
“Modernizing the code is an important step toward future-ready infrastructure,” Globe senior vice president for Service Planning and Engineering Joel Agustin said.
“Integrating connectivity considerations into building design will help accelerate network rollout, improve service quality, and support the country’s broader digital ambitions,” he added.
Globe said it will continue working with government and industry stakeholders to advance policies that support inclusive connectivity and long-term infrastructure development as part of the country’s digital transformation.