BULACAN—The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-Philippines recently activated 1,000 free Wi-Fi access points across 220 public higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide.
The hotspots were installed and rolled out with the support of PLDT.
The milestone, spearheaded by Acting ICT Secretary Emmanuel Rey R. Caintic and UNDP-Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran, was held in a hybrid ceremony in the Bulacan Polytechnic College-San Jose Del Monte campus (BPC-SJDM), with the simultaneous virtual participation of representatives from Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU). The two schools are among the participating HEIs in the DICT-UNDP project.
The activation of free Wi-Fi access points in public HEIs is part of UNDP’s commitment to broaden public access to free Internet services, and help provide means to tap information and basic public services, with special focus on education and health. It is also in line with the two agencies’ joint commitment to support communities as the latter recover from the pandemic, as well as provide digital services and infrastructure to help improve equitable and inclusive gateways to basic services.
In his keynote speech, Caintic expressed his pleasure for the successful rollout of the free Wi-Fi initiative with UNDP: “I’m happy to have implemented this…with UNDP and PLDT. Among the key objectives of the…project is to contribute to the progress of several Sustainable Development Goals. That’s why it was strategic that we partnered with UNDP, because it’s clear to them which of the goals we are targeting.”
“Our commitment to provide inclusive access to free Internet services in public spaces and government offices to aid learning and to augment the government’s services remains stronger than ever,” said Ramachandran. “I am happy to share that from October 2021 to May 2022, we’ve already activated 1,000 free Wi-Fi sites, and that we plan to put up 300 more Wi-Fi access points in HEIs under this initiative.”
He also noted that “Internet access made readily available by the DICT-UNDP partnership allows students and teachers to have a flexible platform for teaching and learning, especially now that blended online and in-person learning [are] the new norm.”
PLDT First Vice President Joseph Ian Gendrano conveyed the telco firm’s gratitude for being selected to partner with UNDP: “We’re honored to have been given the opportunity to serve and provide public Wi-Fi access to 220 HEIs across the country.”
Meanwhile, ICT Undersecretary for Resilient Government Emergency Communications Alan A. Silor noted that: “[the partnership] is in a much better place now. Soon we will be delivering more access points to boost connectivity in the countryside through the program.”
Silor concluded: “May this progress inspire us to forge new ideas [leading] to fruitful services similar to today’s Wi-Fi activations. Let’s continue working on building the foundations of a digitally connected Philippines…for every Filipino.”
“We’re really proud that one of the beneficiaries is the BPC,” said Dr. Rosemarie S. Guirre, Management Information System department head of the college. “Internet connectivity is [something that we really need as members of the faculty, as] teaching online is part of the new learning. This is the new modality. To UNDP, PLDT and DICT: Thank you so much!”
For her part, NVSU Officer-in-Charge Ruth Raña Padilla called on to their academic circle to take advantage of the service: “As we [partner with DICT and UNDP which are providing our university free Wi-Fi connectivity for all students, employees, and personnel, we implore everyone to maximize this opportunity to explore] new information and increase collaboration with one another.”
The activation of 1,000 free Wi-Fi access points in HEIs nationwide was made possible by the DICT-UNDP Connectivity, Capability, and Resiliency through Free Wi-Fi for All (CoRe FW4A) project through the engagement of PLDT. Despite setbacks from the pandemic, the partnership carried on with installations in key areas at the beginning of the year.
The CoRe FW4A project supports the Philippine government’s commitment to accelerate the rollout of the Free Wi-Fi for All National Program, under Republic Act 10929, otherwise known as the “Free Internet Access in Public Places Act of 2017.” The UNDP supports the DICT, serving as the lead implementing agency overseeing the law’s effective and efficient implementation.