DAVAO CITY – The local government's Peace 911 program and the City Information and Technology Center (CITC) have joined forces to provide Internet connections to far-flung barangays.
In an interview Wednesday, Peace 911 VSAT Project focal person Javi Sucuahi said the villages of Colosas and Tapak in Paquibato District went online on Oct. 12 as two very small aperture terminals (VSATs) were installed in their barangay halls.
Another VSAT in Barangay Salapawan will begin transmitting and receiving data via satellite on Oct. 20, Sucuahi said.
“This is the reason Peace 911 identified the barangays mentioned as ideal recipients of the CITC’s Internet connectivity project,” he added.
Sucuahi said before the project, barangay officials in the area used to rely on residents with satellite Internet connections to communicate emergency and disaster information with central government offices.
“Now, with their satellite Internet, these barangays can strengthen emergency services. The VSAT project is also expected to have a big impact on Paquibato District as a predominantly agricultural area,” he added.
Sucuahi said farmers in the area would stand to benefit from access to agricultural data, weather forecasts, and market information, which can potentially lead to improved crop yields and sustainable farming practices.
The VSAT has a bandwidth of 30 mbps downlink and 10 mbps uplink, covering a radius of approximately 200 meters. This allows not only the barangay governments but also the public schools nearby and the residents to access the Internet.
“It will enable students and teachers to access online learning resources and connect with educational institutions. Barangay functionaries can now more easily connect their residents to support networks, government services, and online social interactions, thereby enhancing community participation,” Sucuahi said.
Meanwhile, Peace 911 focal person Jonah Presto noted that access to the Internet is “a fundamental right in today's world, as it is imperative for social development, reducing economic disparities, enabling education, and social inclusion.”
More projects aimed at providing reliable Internet access to remote areas are in the pipeline, he added.
“The VSAT project is another step closer to bridging the digital divide in Paquibato. We must bridge this divide to usher in a more equitable society and enhance the quality of life for those previously underserved,” Presto, a lawyer, said. (PNA)
