MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law 20 bills, including measures requiring telecommunication firms to provide mobile number portability to their subscribers and creating a Human Settlements department. Republic Act 11202 or the Mobile Number Portability Act will allow cellphone users to retain their mobile numbers if they switch to another telecommunication service provider. According to the law, mobile number portability will promote consumers' welfare because it provides them the freedom to choose their service provider without having to change their mobile numbers. The amount will be collected from erring mobile service providers while the fines will be remitted to the National Treasury. The new department will have administrative supervision over the National Housing Authority, National Home Mortgage Finance Corp., Home Development Mutual Fund and the Social Housing Finance Corp.

Source: Philippine Star February 19, 2019 12:41 UTC