KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) —The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is set to continue to accelerate the achievement its vision for “Bayang Digital ang Bagong Pilipinas,” an official of the agency has said.
“Since its inception [in 2016], the DICT has made significant strides in driving digital transformation across the country,” Engr. Ibrahim Guiapar Jr., regional director of DICT in Region XII said during the 25th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas in Koronadal City on November 19.
“Malayo na, pero malayo pa (we have gone so far, but we are still ready to walk the distance). We have a lot in store for our fellow Filipinos. Expect that we will continue to accelerate our digitalization efforts, expanding our reach to unserved and underserved, strengthening programs and projects, and intensifying our campaign against cybercrime, among others,” Guiapar said.
Primary among these initiatives, he said, is the strengthening of the internet connectivity in Visayas and Mindanao by 2026 to 2027 through the National Backbone Project.
DICT has already received a P16-billion grant from the World Bank for the Philippine Digital Infrastructure Program, he added.
“As we push ahead in this transformative journey, we are not just building infrastructure or launching programs. We are shaping a resilient and forward-looking future that connects, empowers, and protects every Filipino,” he said.
“From expanding high-speed connectivity in underserved areas and improving e-governance to safeguarding our digital spaces, these steps are paving the way for a thriving digital nation,” Guiapar pointed out.
Having in mind DICT’s mission of providing free internet access, as mandated in Republic Act 10929, Guiapar reported that Region XII has already established 756 access points and 403 Wi-Fi locations in SOCCSKSARGEN Region, and mainland provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Specifically, the number of Wi-Fi locations per province established by the agency are as follows: 28 in Cotabato Province, 79 in Sultan Kudarat, 29 in South Cotabato, 26 in Sarangani and General Santos City as well 124 in Lanao del Sur, 96 in Maguindanao del Norte, and 21 in Maguindanao del Sur.
Meanwhile, the number of access points per province are as follows: 57 in Cotabato Province, 160 in Sultan Kudarat, 53 in South Cotabato, and 54 in Sarangani-General Santos City area in Region 12; and 251 in Lanao del Sur, 141 in Maguindanao del Norte, and 40 in Maguindanao del Sur in the BARMM.
Free Wi-Fi for all access points is strategically located in public places such as parks, plazas, barangay centers, markets, ports, airports, transport terminals, schools, as well as in indigenous peoples’ communities, and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
“Procurement is underway for the establishment of additional access points, giving priority to schools, municipal centers, state universities and colleges, and provincial networks,” he said.
Also on the priority list are geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and areas not covered by telephone companies, he said.
Guiapar also reported that 43 local government units (LGU) across SOCCSKSARGEN and the mainland provinces of BARMM are now operational for the Electronic Local Government Unit—Business Permit and Licensing System (eLGU-BPLS).
Further, he said that eLGU-BPLS system is designed to streamline and digitize the process of obtaining business permits and licenses from local government units (LGUs).
“Every time we see shorter queues, faster transactions, or simplified processes because of digitalization, those are indicators of how DICT is making a difference in the lives of our kababayans,” he said.
Nationwide, 829 LGUs have already adopted digitalization and streamlining of their business licensing; thus, helping local businesses grow with less red tape and quicker processing, he added.
“Our values also go beyond infrastructure. It is about future-proofing our workforce, equipping them with digital skills and agility to excel in a rapidly-evolving landscape.”
Guiapar said “We invite every Filipino to get involved and take advantage of the DICT’s services and programs in the region. (PIA 12)
