More public WiFi sites rolling out

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) continues to strengthen efforts to provide fast, cheap, and secure internet access with more WiFi hotspots activated across the country.

Last week, the DICT simultaneously activated 23 internet sites across 17 regions as part of its “Free Wi-Fi for All” program.

Since DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan’s assumption in office last July, 308 live sites were added to the existing operational WiFi sites, bringing the total to 3,000 as of October.

The DICT targets to have a total of 8,073 operational live sites by the end of the year.

“This is just the start. We will continue doing this not just for the remainder of the term of the President, but beyond it,” Honasan said.

Honasan has vowed to strengthen DICT’s efforts to provide fast, cheap, and secure internet access to the Filipino people.

 “It is important that we connect everybody to everybody else. Connectivity does not only unite the country, induce political unity and social cohesion, but also promote economic prosperity,” Honasan said.

The DICT earlier requested P36.3 billion budget for next year to facilitate the programs and projects on digital connectivity and access, digital government and literacy, and cybersecurity. 

The Free WiFi Internet Access in Public Places project of the DICT targets to accelerate the government’s efforts in enhancing internet accessibility for Filipinos in the hope of bolstering economic, social, and educational opportunities and bridging the growing digital divide.

Through the project, the government hopes thousands of schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, libraries, parks, plazas, and transportation such as airports and seaport terminals will be able to enjoy free internet connectivity and allow many Filipinos access to a means of communications and source of information and opportunities.