A $287.24-million funding from the World Bank will enable more than 20 million Filipinos to enjoy better internet.
In a statement on Friday, the World Bank said its Board of Executive Directors has approved the funding for the Philippines Digital Infrastructure Project designed to improve climate-resilient, secure, and inclusive broadband connectivity across the country.
The World Bank said the project will invest in the government’s national fiber optic backbone, middle-mile, and last-mile connectivity infrastructure, while ensuring these facilities are secure against cybersecurity threats and climate risks.
Manuela Ferro, World Bank vice president for East Asia and Pacific, said a robust broadband connectivity infrastructure is not just a technological necessity, it’s an essential cornerstone for the Philippines to boost growth and attain its goal of becoming an upper middle income country in the next couple of years.
Zafer MustafaoÄŸlu, World Bank country director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam, said improved internet access will help all Filipinos, especially those in remote areas of Mindanao, gain better education, healthcare, social protection, and government services.
The national fiber optic backbone refers to a network of high-capacity fiber optic cables that interconnect different regions of the country. This will complete the remaining parts of the national fiber backbone, connecting the two main international landing stations in Baler (Luzon) and Davao City (Mindanao).
Middle-mile infrastructure will extend connectivity from the main backbone to more localized underserved areas in the regions of Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Easter Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccksargen, and Caraga.
Last mile or the infrastructure which connects to end-users will reach currently uncovered areas. The project will connect public institutions, schools, and hospitals in Eastern Mindanao, along with free-Wi-Fi access points in these facilities.
To ensure resilience of these investments, the project will incorporate climate data, risks, and resilience measures into the design of the infrastructure.
