by Department of Information and Communications Technology
With the Free Wi-Fi launching in 39 locations in Basilan on September 13, all municipalities and cities in the province are now Free Wi-Fi connected.
ZAMBOANGA CITY, September 23 (PIA) – The Department of Information and Communications Technology-Mindanao Cluster 1 (DICT-MC1) launched Free Wi-Fi sites and Tech4ED centers in Mindanao provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi on September 13 to 15, 2021.
With the Free Wi-Fi launching in 39 locations in Basilan on September 13, all municipalities and cities in the province are now Free Wi-Fi connected.
“Connecting Basilan was a challenge at the start due to a series of failed biddings, but with teamwork and sheer persistence, our team of Engineers together with our partners, established the Zamboanga-Basilan Broadband Network maximizing existing systems to connect communities with no access to full-blown ICT infrastructure. With this, we were only able to connect 2 LGUs, Lamitan and Isabela. The only way to reach the other 11 LGUs is to use VSAT- Very Small Aperture Terminal. I’m pleased to share that all the municipalities now have at least one VSAT installed. DICT’s Free internet initiative is now live in 100% of municipalities and cities in the province of Basilan.” Regional Director Maria Teresa Camba said.
DICT-MC1 also launched the first Digital Transformation Centers in the country located in Isabela City, Basilan, Zamboanga City, and Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. The DTC is an initiative to strengthen digital capacities of citizens, particularly in the underserved communities. It serves as an incubation hub for start-up businesses, co-working space for freelancers and workers, and training center providing free ICT courses tailored to meet community needs.
Sulu province, which had no WiFi presence at the start of 2020 now has 28 newly activated Free WiFi for All locations across its 19 municipalities, with 9 new Tech4ED Centers launched on September 14. All 11 municipalities of Tawi-tawi province also have access to 34 Free Wifi for All locations and 7 new Tech4ED centers, which were ceremonially launched on September 15. It can be recalled that DICT has provided free internet and computer packages to the geographically isolated municipalities of Turtle Islands and Mapun in March 2021.
“We cannot deny the importance of internet especially in these trying times where classes are online and meetings are virtual. We are so thankful for DICT for their services especially for putting up Free Wifi for All, Tech4ED Centers, and for training our graduate students on Digital Jobs. DICT has amplified our services as it provided connectivity for our faculty, students and community,” remarked Prof. Charisma Ututalum, President of Sulu State College.
“Ang connectivity ay isa sa mga nakatulong upang mabigyang lakas na lumaban ngayong pandemic. Salamat at nandito ang DICT upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng Tawi-tawi. Sa ngalan ng Provincial Government, nagpapasalamat kame dahil nacover po ang buong municipalities ng Tawi-tawi sa Free Wifi at Tech4ED,” added Mr. Mobin Gampal, Provincial Administrator of Tawi-Tawi.
All these accomplishments were made possible through DICT’s partnership with the provincial governments, Western Mindanao Command, and Philippine Coast Guard.
Mandated by Republic Act 10929 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, the DICT’s Free Wi-Fi for All program aims to accelerate the government’s efforts in enhancing Internet accessibility for Filipinos by putting up Free Wi-Fi sites in public places across the country. As of August 12 this year, there are 10,661 Free Wi-Fi sites nationwide. Meanwhile, the Tech4ED Program targets to establish community e-centers in areas with minimal to no access to information and government services.
To check out DICT’s Free Wifi hotspot near you, go to https://freepublicwifi.gov.ph/livehotspots/. (DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)
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