ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – In a significant step towards digital transformation, the Municipality of Sitangkai in Tawi-Tawi province has become the seventh site in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (ZAMBASULTA) area and the first in the province to join the Smart Villages Smart Islands (SVSI) initiative.
The initiative was officially launched recently by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-9, BASULTA, and key SVSI partners such as PLDT Smart and mWell, leading the efforts to bring last-mile connectivity and digital services to the remote community.
The launch featured several groundbreaking initiatives aimed at improving access to essential services such as education and healthcare through digital technology.
The Sitangkai Municipal Hall served as the focal point for this transformation, where DICT’s Free Wi-Fi program was officially rolled-out, providing much-needed internet access to residents. Additionally, the municipality’s official website, developed in collaboration with the DICT Tawi-Tawi Provincial Office, was unveiled, marking a major milestone in Sitangkai’s journey toward greater digital inclusion.
Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Sitangkai,” said Assistant Secretary for Regional Development, Maria Teresa Camba, who graced the event.
This launch is not just about technology—it’s about empowering the people of Sitangkai with the tools they need to connect with the world and improve their lives.”
Complementing the connectivity efforts, SVSI partners PLDT Smart and mWell introduced vital digital services that will serve the residents of Sitangkai for years to come. PLDT Smart contributed their School-in-a-Bag package, a digital learning solution that includes ten tablets and laptops pre-loaded with educational content. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and bring quality education to Sitangkai’s students, who previously faced challenges accessing learning resources.
Meanwhile, mWell introduced its telemedicine platform—a groundbreaking service that connects Sitangkai residents with healthcare professionals via the internet. This platform allows individuals in the municipality to consult doctors and medical experts remotely, addressing the area’s limited access to healthcare services.
Jonathan Perez, one of the project’s beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for providing equipment and services in the municipality.
We hope that your support will continue here in Sitangkai, and we promise to share these resources with all the residents of our community,” he said.
Cheryl Ortega, Director of BASULTA, emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving digital transformation in the region.
This partnership is a step toward a brighter future for Sitangkai. The digital services we are introducing today are just the beginning of what we hope will evolve into a sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystem.”
The Sitangkai launch highlights the power of collaboration in creating meaningful change, even in the most remote and underserved areas. By providing last-mile connectivity, digital education tools, and telemedicine services, the Smart Villages Smart Islands initiative is unlocking new opportunities for residents and transforming Sitangkai into a model for digital progress in the southernmost municipalities of the Philippines. (JPA/MLE/PIA Region 9-Zamboanga City/With reports from DICT 9)
