SAN FERNANDOphfun, Pampanga , Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has installed and activated 1,195 free WiFi sites across Central Luzon.
The installation was part of the goverment’s “Free WiFi for All” project, an initiative that seeks to bridge the digital divide by improving connectivity in rural and underserved communities.
DICT-Central Luzon director Antonio Edward Padre said the project has provided internet access to 446,124 people and facilitated better communication, education and economic development.
“Free WiFi has been installed in rural areas, particularly in public elementary and high schools, remote barangays, municipal government buildings and several state universities,” Padre said.
Aside from WiFi sites, the DICT established two active government network (GovNet) hubs in San Fernando, Pampanga and Subic Bay in Zambales.
The Pampanga and Zambales GovNet hubs connect 49 and 44 government agencies, respectively, Padre said.
“We are working to extend connectivity to regional government networks in San Fernando in La Union, Baguio City, Subic Bay and the National Capital Region. By next year, we will expand connectivity to government network at the Diosdado Macapagal Government Center in San Fernando, Pampanga,” he said.
The DICT also set up 10 digital transformation centers across Central Luzon, which offer information and communications technology training program designed to empower marginalized groups.
Up to 85 training sessions have been conducted so far, which benefited over 8,000 participants, including persons with disabilitiesphfun, indigenous people and senior citizens.