The PLDT Group has called for stronger collaboration between the government and telecommunications industry to improve the resilience of the Philippines’ subsea cable network. Speaking at the Archipelagic Governance for Subsea Cables Forum, PLDT Global President and CEO Albert V. Villa-Real said undersea cables are critical to business operations, financial transactions, public services, and digital connectivity. He stressed the need for greater route diversity, faster restoration, better information sharing, and coordinated emergency response measures. Villa-Real also said the Philippines could become a major digital hub in the Asia-Pacific region by strengthening its international and domestic connectivity infrastructure, data centers, cloud services, and power systems.
Meanwhile, PLDT First Vice President for Network Design and Engineering Arvin L. Siena highlighted the importance of reliable subsea cables in supporting government services, economic activity, and the country’s digital transformation. He noted that cables can be damaged by earthquakes, natural disasters, fishing activities, ship anchors, and other maritime incidents. Although telecommunications operators continue to invest in additional cable systems and network redundancy, repairs can be delayed by the permits and clearances required for specialized cable vessels to enter Philippine waters. Siena called for a clear and streamlined approval process for emergency repairs, while maintaining national security and regulatory requirements. He also proposed designating submarine and terrestrial cable routes as critical digital corridors to improve infrastructure protection and reduce preventable damage.
The forum was organized by The Asia Foundation in partnership with the National Security Council Secretariat, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, and the National Telecommunications Security Council. Participants from government, security agencies, regulators, academia, and the telecommunications sector discussed measures to protect subsea cable infrastructure. The PLDT Group reaffirmed its commitment to working with public and private stakeholders to strengthen network resilience, improve repair coordination, and support the country’s digital development. Villa-Real emphasized that protecting the nation’s connectivity requires sustained cooperation between government agencies and industry, particularly as demand for digital services and international data connections continues to grow.
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