The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Luzon Cluster 3, through the Free Wi-Fi for All Programme (FW4A), has recently completed setting up 80 newly activated free Internet sites within 20 locations in the island provinces of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro.
According to a press release, the DICT Secretary, Gregorio B. Honasan II, noted, “It is this administration’s strong stand that Internet is a right. Access to data is a right – much like food, water, shelter, education, and healthcare, among others. Thus, it is the duty of the government to ensure that this right is afforded to every Filipino citizen—that every Filipino is connected to the Internet, regardless of where they are in the Philippines,”
Institutionalised through the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, DICT has been fast-tracking the rollout of the programme in light of the pressing connectivity demands of the new normal. The launching of the Internet hotspots in Mindoro is expected to enhance accessibility to the Internet and to bring digital opportunities closer to the residents.
“I hope that this will be the first step in forging a productive partnership as Wi-Fi connectivity is now considered as an essential need, more so in this challenging time of the pandemic crisis when quarantine measures compel our students to study through online learning and employees to work from home,” said Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
In reopening the economy and when transacting business online becomes a compelling necessity, the Free Wi-Fi for All Program is an important step in the right direction in ensuring the people’s access to Wi-Fi connectivity, he added.
The press release said that, presently, the modern Filipino’s life revolves around technology, however, due to poverty and challenging circumstances, many citizens are deprived of the opportunities provided by new technology. Thus, it is part of the mandate of the DICT to bring technology closer to the public. The Free Wi-Fi for All Programme allows people, particularly students, to access the Internet and limitless digital opportunities.
Government representatives and partners from the province of Occidental Mindoro also noted how the programme is a welcome development for the community, especially for the education sector. “This programme will be helpful for our citizens, particularly our students with little or no access to Internet services. Through this program, we expect that their educational burdens will be eased. Again, we are thankful for the support.”
Further, free Internet connectivity and access are now available at the Relief Operations Centre of Cagayan under the same programme. The centre is located at the Capitol Compound, Tuguegarao City.
The free Wi-Fi aims to provide support to the provincial local government unit of Cagayan in information dissemination and coordination as they provide relief assistance to families affected by Typhoon Ulysses and the subsequent flooding in Cagayan and Isabela.
More than 100 families have already benefitted from the free Wi-Fi and charging services since 14 November; citizens have to follow standard health protocols. 60 government sites are connected to the Regional Government Network (GovNet) in Tuguegarao City and DICT is taking other initiatives to boost connectivity services in affected areas including the deployment of a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) flyaway antenna equipment.
