The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P3 billion to boost internet connectivity across the country, with half earmarked for public schools in remote areas.
In a statement on Wednesday, the DBM said P1.5 billion will go to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Connectivity Enhancement Program for E-Learning, aimed at providing free Wi-Fi access in last-mile and far-flung schools.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will assist in carrying out the program.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the initiative will reduce the burden on students and teachers who often travel or spend extra just to access Wi-Fi.
‘Once free internet access is fully implemented in last-mile schools and far-flung areas, our students and teachers will no longer have to spend much or travel far just to get Wi-Fi access. We want every young Filipino-whether in the city or in the farthest island-to have equal access to quality education,” Pangandaman said.
The DBM said 8,253 public schools are expected to benefit from the P1.5 billion allocation to the DepEd.
DICT to expand public Wi-Fi program. Another P1.5 billion will go to the DICT’s Free Public Internet Access Program to broaden free internet availability in public places.
Both the DICT and DepEd are expected to sign a memorandum of agreement to coordinate implementation of the two initiatives.
The Philippines continues to face some of the slowest and costliest internet service in Southeast Asia. A 2024 World Bank study found the country had the most expensive internet in the region while lagging behind Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei in speed.
The Konektadong Pinoy Act, which lapsed into law in August, aims to address the country’s connectivity issues by encouraging new companies to enter the market.