(CEBU CITY, Cebu) Chairperson of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials’ Meeting, Laura del Rosario, said she hopes the meetings on Internet connectivity would convince APEC member economies of the importance of the Internet in economic development and education.
During a press conference here on Friday, del Rosario was asked if she thinks the discussions here in Cebu could bring in more investments to improve the speed of Internet connections in the country.
“It is not a matter of whether they will invest in Internet connectivity. What we are trying to say is that it will somehow remind all governments that Internet connection is very important,” she said in response.
“The speed of Internet is really necessary for us to move forward. I believe that there are many Filipino investors, entrepreneurs, who can do their own investments in Internet connectivity.”
Del Rosario further said that they are making sure that in discussing Internet connections, connectivity would become a priority for government planning.
“Therefore, this will be part of the things we are looking at in the telecommunications sector,” she said.
The telecommunications sector is part of the working groups of the APEC and del Rosario said they are also looking at security issues because the Internet is also about ensuring a secure cyberspace.
At the same time, she said she hopes that local investors who have enough resources would study how the country could expand and improve its broadband connectivity to allow more people to access the Internet.
Del Rosario also highlighted the importance of connectivity to education, noting that the Internet also impacts the way governments educate their people. PND