PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 217

: The main objective is to establish basic policies for the telephone industry in the Philippines, aiming for efficient telephone service over a wide area at the lowest reasonable cost to subscribers.
: It regulates the telephone industry in the Philippines.
: Expansion shall be financed through an optimal combination of domestic and foreign sources and a balance of debt and equity funds to minimize the aggregate cost of capital.
: It is a policy where telephone subscribers partly finance capital investments in telephone installations by purchasing stocks, either common or preferred, of the telephone company.
: Subscriber self-financing cannot exceed fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the installed telephone line as determined by regulatory bodies.
: The Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications through its Board of Communications or appropriate agency.
: They are repealed or modified accordingly to align with the provisions of PD No. 217.
: To encourage savings and productive enterprise participation by a wide base of investors and to promote broader public ownership consistent with the national economy's interests.
: Unlike power and water utilities, the capital requirements per telephone unit increase as the number of customers increases, making the telephone industry unique in financing.