DICT told to prioritize connectivity in remote, isolated areas

PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to prioritize establishing connectivity in remote and isolated areas across the country.

Marcos issued the directive during the sectoral meeting on the National Digital Connectivity Plan (NDCP) 2024-2028 in Malacañang on Monday, where the DICT presented its connectivity proposals.

“Let us establish first the connectivity. That’s more important than anything else,” Marcos said, as quoted by a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release.

The President suggested rolling out the connectivity program in areas where the government can provide free WiFi.

To ensure a market for telecommunications companies, he said the government could help by providing connections to government facilities.

“We will now provide that market by giving [access] to government facilities, barangay offices, LGUs (local government units), etcetera. And that will establish the market,” the President said.

“Once nasanay ang tao na mayroon ng ganyan (Once the public got used to having (the facility), we can put them already. We can put the allowance for WiFi already in the budget. Kasi nandyan na (Because it is already set up). We can put it in the budget of the government agency. Maliit lang naman (Just a small amount),” he added.

Once the budget is approved, the NDCP will serve as the country’s strategic blueprint to bring universal and digital connectivity nationwide and serve as a linchpin in creating a digital Philippines.

Marcos recently approved the USD288 million Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project, which according to DICT, seeks to complete the national fiber backbone and bring high-speed Internet connection even in disadvantaged areas.

To be financed through official development assistance from the World Bank, the project is a flagship initiative of the DICT and involves the construction of a public broadband infrastructure network.

In July, the DICT reported 13,462 free WiFi sites in 1,401 cities and municipalities nationwide, including 3,040 Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas.

It added that some 9.8 million Filipinos have benefitted from the DICT’s Free Public Internet program.

Enacted in 2017, Republic Act 10929 or the Free Internet Access Program in Public Places requires public places like hospitals, transport terminals, and government offices to provide free Internet access. (Darryl John Esguerra)