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In his third State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the administration’s significant progress in infrastructure development in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. He highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing digital connectivity, with a priority on achieving sufficient bandwidth capacity by 2026.
A key focus was the completion of Phase One of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB), a fibre optic project aimed at increasing internet connectivity service capacity across provinces, government offices, and data centres in the Philippines.
The NFB project is crucial for sectors like education, health, energy, housing, transport, and IT. President Marcos praised the implementing agencies for maintaining a “sustained, strategic, and on schedule” project despite numerous challenges.
He also stressed the role of private sector partners in harnessing the concept of common towers to provide connectivity to remote areas, with full government support, including policy reforms and streamlined processes, to ensure the project’s successful completion.
Additionally, President Marcos highlighted the government’s efforts to expand free public WiFi access, benefiting nearly 10 million unique user devices across more than 13,000 locations in the country.
“With our Free WiFi Programme, almost 10 million unique user devices already benefit from free internet in more than 13,000 places throughout the Philippines. Its signal covers our schools and other remote areas. We’re already working on putting up more of its kind across the archipelago,” he said.
To further emphasise the importance of digital connectivity, the President detailed various initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide. The administration has set an ambitious goal to ensure that even the most remote areas in the country are connected to the digital world. By leveraging advanced technologies and partnerships with private enterprises, the government aims to create a robust digital infrastructure that supports economic growth and enhances the quality of life for all Filipinos.
One of the critical components of this strategy is the implementation of common tower initiatives. By working closely with private sector partners, the government plans to build shared telecommunications towers that will extend connectivity to underserved and unserved areas. This approach not only reduces costs but also accelerates the deployment of network infrastructure, ensuring that more Filipinos can access reliable internet services sooner.
The focus on digital infrastructure extends to the education sector, where enhanced connectivity is seen as a vital tool for improving educational outcomes. The NFB project, in particular, is expected to facilitate better access to online learning resources, enabling students and teachers to engage in more interactive and effective educational experiences. Similarly, improved internet access in health facilities will support telemedicine initiatives, making healthcare more accessible to remote communities.
In the transportation sector, the digital focus is evident in the integration of smart technologies into infrastructure projects. The development of intelligent transport systems (ITS) aims to improve traffic management, reduce congestion, and enhance overall transportation efficiency. This includes the deployment of advanced monitoring and control systems, as well as the use of big data analytics to optimise transport operations.
Additionally, the administration’s commitment to digital transformation is reflected in its support for innovation and research. The significant allocation for the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) underscores the government’s dedication to fostering a culture of innovation. By promoting private sector-driven research and development, the administration aims to position the Philippines as a leader in the digital economy.
President Marcos underscored the administration’s unwavering commitment to building a more modern and interconnected Philippines. The focus on digital infrastructure, coupled with comprehensive support for various sectors, aims to create a robust and inclusive economy that benefits all Filipinos.
