The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has allocated P13.4 billion in its proposed budget in 2021 for the implementation of the National Broadband Program (NBP) that will improve digital connectivity and access in the country.
The proposed budget for the NBP is significantly higher than this year’s allocation of P296.5 million. This is on top of the P7.7 billion earmarked for the free Wi-Fi program by next year, which is also higher than this year’s P1.4 billion budget.
The NBP is the national government’s initiative in building and enhancing existing ICT broadband infrastructure to make internet connectivity pervasive, accessible and more affordable for the public.
It has six components: National Fiber Optic Cable (FOC) backbone, cable landing stations, accelerated tower build, accelerated fiber build, satellite overlay and Broadband Delivery Management Service (BDMS).
Among these components, the National FOC backbone has successfully tested 158 dark fiber segments of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
The backbone aims to cover the entire Philippine territory to reach unserved and underserved areas by targeting to install 2,295 kilometers FOC in 2021.
DICT, together with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, also completed the construction of cable landing stations in Baler, Aurora and Poro Point, La Union pursuant to the second component.
Construction of the 240-km. fiber highway is also underway and expected to improve access to 2 terabits per second capacity by 2021. Component 2 shall likewise cover the operation and maintenance of the two cable landing stations and four repeater stations.
DICT said the accelerated fiber build component had connected 792 agencies in 13 GovNet sites to date.
For the rest of the year, a total of 463 agencies in six GovNet sites shall be connected, and a total of 810 agencies in 14 new GovNet sites are expected to be connected by the end of 2021.
Additionally, the NBP aims to replace ICT equipment for 300 GovNet sites, expand seven existing sites and provide IP transport services for eight GovNet sites.
DICT said the BDMS is a recently added feature for 2021. This was developed in response to the accelerated NBP implementation and shall ensure uniform service delivery and promote healthy competition among internet service providers to drive better quality internet at lower costs.
“The P13.4 billion earmarked for the NBP in 2021 envisions increased public reach of connectivity services by developing and enhancing our digital infrastructures,” Gregorio Honasan II, DICT secretary, said.
“The establishment of a national fiber optic backbone is a very pressing matter, not just in light of the public health emergency, but for the sake of national competitiveness. We are putting in place these strategies to reinvigorate the country’s participation in the global digital economy to achieve our vision of a Digital Philippines,” he added.
DICT is proposing a total budget of P46.6 billion for 2021, compared to this year’s budget of around P6 billion.
