PBBM fulfills promise to strengthen Dinagat Islands’ digital connectivity
By Renelle L. Escuadro
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands (PIA) —The strengthening of Dinagat Islands’ connectivity is a fulfillment of PBBM’s promise to bring connectivity to Filipinos living in islands and at the far end of the last mile.
Regional Director Mario P. Cuñado of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Caraga remarked during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) together with Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. on July 2, here.
DICT Caraga and the provincial government of Dinagat Islands, through the MOA, agreed to strengthen the connectivity of Dinagat Islands through the DICT’s Free Wi-Fi For All Program by establishing more strategic sites and expanding in key areas that handle government services and economic activities in the entire province.
The Free Wi-Fi For All Program currently provides free public internet access across a wide range of key locations, including national and local government offices and units, public basic education institutions, state universities and colleges (SUCs), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training institutions, public hospitals, health centers and rural health centers, public parks, libraries and barangay reading centers. Access is also extended to public airports, seaports and transportation terminals.
“Included in the MOA is the building of a DICT provincial hub within the capitol compound, including the installation of an ICT tower,” Dir. Cuñado said. “With this facility put in place, we bridge the digital divide and guarantee inclusive connectivity in Dinagat Islands.”
The director also shared that with DICT’s caliber personnel, ICT training and upskilling will be more feasible and accessible to the Dinagatnons, especially on essential courses such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, among others.
Cuñado added, “More than just a paper, this is a tangible accomplishment of #BayangDigital where no one is left behind.”
Meanwhile, Gov. Demerey expressed gratitude to DICT Caraga for the partnership and collaboration, seeing the pivotal role of connectivity in countryside development. “If we have reliable internet access on the island and ICT facilities are up and running, it is not impossible to establish economic and tourism zones. We will see if it is possible to also have a BPO (business processing outsourcing) or call center here in Dinagat Islands.”
As chairperson of the Caraga Regional Development Council, Demerey also acknowledged the importance of connectivity to leverage the province and better contribute to the Caraga Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 through industrialization and innovation in fishery, agro-forestry, mining and eco-tourism (i2FAME).
PBBM’s promise
For President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, 2024, he described the 77 percent or 20.6 million households connected to the internet as ‘much too low.’
This motivated the DICT and partner stakeholders to step up by increasing the site beneficiaries so more Filipinos can connect to the internet through the Free Wi-Fi For All Program of the government.
In 2023, DICT Caraga reported that it completed the installation of the Free Wi-Fi Program to the seven municipalities of the province, benefitting 37 sites. However, with the growing demand for accessibility in Dinagat Islands, DICT Caraga is fully committed to increasing the reach of the services of the Free Wi-Fi For All Program, particularly to unserved and underserved communities in the province. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from PIO Dinagat Islands)
