The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) yesterday said it has expanded the free internet connectivity to remote areas in Palawan.
DICT Luzon Cluster 3 has installed the VSAT (very-small-aperture terminal) in Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan, Palawan in line with the government’s ramped up efforts to provide internet connectivity in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas across the country.
DICT is set to deploy more free Wi-Fi sites in Visayas and Mindanao this year.
DICT Visayas Cluster 2 aims to provide more free Wi-Fi sites in 267 targeted barangays for 2021. Of the total, 70 barangays are under Managed Information System- Geographical Isolated Disadvantageous Areas and will get free internet using VSAT technology.
Mindanao Cluster 2 is also set to launch more free Wi-Fi sites in the coming months, in addition to 164 sites deployed in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro.
As of March 10, a total of 8,170 free Wi-Fi sites have been deployed across the country, around 5,000 of which were installed during Honasan’s term.
DICT also turned over three units of laptop from the DICT Tech4ED Program to give free ICT access to Pag-asa Island residents through the Tech4ED Center to be established in the island.
Meanwhile, DICT received the Vulcan Award from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for providing free internet access to the DSWD office in Rawis, Legazpi City through the Government Network (GovNet) project.
The GovNet project connects government agencies through low-cost, reliable and fast internet enabled by fiber optic cable technology. It aims to achieve an ICT-enabled government unbounded by physical limitations.– Myla Iglesias
