(PNA file photo)
MANILA – The government's free Wi-Fi program is set to get an additional PHP3.681 billion funding to ensure its continued implementation.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) authorized the release of the additional budget to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to sustain the implementation of the Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP) nationwide.
The additional funding is expected to benefit a total of 13,462 Access Point sites in various locations nationwide, the DBM said in a statement Thursday.
“By approving this additional budget within our calibrated fiscal program, we reaffirm our commitment to prioritizing inclusive and accessible internet for all,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
“As mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we will ensure that every citizen, saan mang sulok ng Pilipinas, makikinabang sa ating (wherever they are in the Philippines, will benefit from our) digital transformation initiatives,” Pangandaman added.
Part of the FPIAP is the building and maintaining of ICT infrastructure such as towers, data centers, and internet connections.
It aims to maintain connectivity in public areas like schools, libraries, parks, and transportation hubs, providing Filipinos with reliable internet services.
With the additional funding, Pangandaman said she hoped that the DICT can proceed swiftly with the fund disbursement and expedite the program's implementation.
The additional fund is chargeable against the Special Account in the General Fund - Free Public Internet Access Fund (SAGF-FPIAF) for FY 2024.
This is on top of the PHP2.5 billion allocated for the FPIAF in the current year which is expected to be fully obligated this month, the budget agency said.
During his third State of the Nation Address last month, Marcos said the Free Wi-Fi program has so far served almost 10 million unique user devices in more than 13,000 places in the country.
He vowed to continuously expand the program to ensure more Filipinos benefit from having free Wi-Fi.
Both power and internet services, he said, were continuously being upgraded in both capacity and connectivity to serve more Filipinos. (PNA)
