Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy led a Townhall meeting with Cordillera stakeholders during the “Bayang Digital ang Bagong Pilipinas” DICT Regional Roadshow at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center on Thursday, June 20
BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – Neither distance nor terrain can prevent the government from ensuring interconnectivity of the mountain provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
During the ‘Bayang Digital and Bagong PIlipinas’ Digital Roadshow at the Baguio City Convention and Cultural Center, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to bringing internet connectivity down to the remotest communities in the Cordillera region.
Recognizing the power of the internet, Uy vowed to bring Bagong Pilipinas’ brand of governance via the Bayang Digital Program, which, according to him, is in conformity with the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.—empowering Filipinos from across the archipelago with connectivity by means of digitalization.
“This vision transcends mere rhetoric, is a call to action, and is a blueprint for a future where every Filipino is empowered, every community is connected, and every industry is invigorated through the power of digitalization,” Uy said.
“We have decisively answered the call by implementing innovative and impactful programs across the country, especially here in CAR. We have advanced our vision of Bayang Digital in the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province,” the DICT chief added.
The Secretary shared that in 2023, through its regional office, the DICT-CAR expanded the free internet access program in public places in an effort to reach numerous sites to revolutionize access to educational resources, healthcare services, and the digital jobs market for the people in the region, making these vital services more accessible and convenient as never before.
As of May 2024, there are already 480 active satellite internet sites in the region for widespread internet access, with about 50 active sites per province on average, he continued.
During the Regional Roadshow, the DICT led the ceremonial switching on of the Cordillera Wireless Network Project, designed to bring internet connectivity from the National Broadband through relay stations in the mountains of the Cordillera to the communities in the different provinces in the region.
The symbolic event also highlighted an interaction of the Saddle Elementary School in Madaymen in Kibungan, Benguet, with Uy and the other roadshow participants through internet connectivity using a relay station on Mt. Santo Tomas in Tuba, Benguet.
Under the Cordillera Wireless Network Project, the DICT-CAR plans for the establishment of a relay station at Mt. Pulag in Kabayan, Benguet, to bring in connectivity from Mt. Sto. Tomas to Mt. Pulag to the other municipalities of Benguet and the nearby municipalities of Tinoc and Hingyon in Ifugao.
Another component of the project is the establishment of relay stations on Mount Ang-nge in Ifugao, which is expected to bring internet connectivity to the other areas of Ifugao, and on Mt. Amuyao in Barlig, Mountain Province, linking each and every town in the province.
Under the program of work of the Cordillera wireless network, connectivity projects for Benguet are set to be completed by 2025, and those for Ifugao and Mountain Province by 2026.
Connectivity projects for Abra are programmed from 2025–2026; Kalinga and Apayao will be from 2026–2028. (CCD/PIA CAR)
