Next phases of fiber backbone set for activation by mid 2025

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The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) expects to activate Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) in mid-2025 to enhance interconnectivity in remote areas.

Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched Phase 1 of the NFB project which provides free internet services to Northern and Southern Luzon up to Metro Manila.

“Phase 2 and Phase 3… will cover Southern Luzon, parts of Visayas and part of Mindanao, so this is a very good project. We can bring internet connectivity to remote areas,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said in an interview Thursday at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

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For Phase 4, which primarily covers the Visayas and Mindanao regions, the government has secured a $280- million loan from the World Bank, equivalent to nearly P16 billion.

According to Uy, this funding will support the expansion of internet connectivity in remote areas.

In 2024, the DICT expanded connectivity by deploying free Wi-Fi in over 15,000 sites as part of the government’s free Wi-Fi program. This initiative covers public spaces, such as markets, transport terminals, airports, tourist areas, barangay halls, schools and municipalities.

Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has recognized the Philippines’ efforts in strengthening its cybersecurity landscape through a feature on Uy in a recently released video for the 2025 Annual Meeting of the WEF held recently in Davos, Switzerland, according to a DICT statement Thursday.

It highlighted the Philippines’ leadership in addressing global cybersecurity challenges, particularly the global rise of the grandparent scam, a scheme targeting the elderly, the DICT added.

Uy also called for a stronger collective action across industries and borders, pointing out that while social media platforms serve as tools for connectivity, they are also being exploited by cybercriminals. 

The WEF video also underscored key measures that the Philippines has taken to strengthen its cyber defenses under the leadership of President Marcos Jr., DICT said.

The country’s National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028 was adopted as a whole-of-government approach through the issuance of Executive Order No. 58 in April 2024.

In issuing this policy, President Marcos Jr. affirmed that bolstering the security and resilience of the country’s cyberspace is aligned with one of the goals under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which is to ensure safety and security in cyber and physical spaces.

The DICT noted significant advancements in the country’s cybersecurity standing on the global stage.

The Philippines climbed from 61st place in 2020 to 53rd in 2024 in the Global Cybersecurity Index, attaining Tier 2 or advancing status, a testament to the government’s relentless push for stronger cyber defenses, the DICT said. 

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