The Philippine government is accelerating its digitalization efforts with a P2.5 billion budget allocated to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to expand the free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP) across the country.
Budget Secretary Amena Pangandaman approved the issuance of a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to P2.5 billion, and the corresponding Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) for the first quarter amounting to P356.2 million for the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of DICT.
The disbursement encompasses the implementation of locally-funded projects that include the Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP).
“This funding is crucial because the internet is central to our emerging new age—the digital era. It is the backbone of our modern world. It connects us and makes everything more convenient, powering education, economy, healthcare, public safety, and even government services,” Pangandaman said.
Under the FPIAP is the construction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities like high-capacity networks, Middle Mile, and Last Mile ICT infrastructures, as well as towers, data centers, assets, and other service buildings.
From the budget, over P2.4 billion will be earmarked for free internet wifi connectivity in public places. The remaining P50 million, on the other hand, goes to connectivity concerns for State Universities and Colleges (SUC).
“President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s administration strives to make network connectivity more available for everyone, especially for our public servants and students. Sa Bagong Pilipinas (In the New Philippines), we are united as Filipino people both physically and online,” Pangandaman said.
The FPIAP aims to provide zero-cost internet access in public spaces nationwide. These public areas include convergence points such as national and government offices, public basic education institutions, SUCs, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) institutions, as well as public hospitals, medical care facilities, plazas, and transport terminals, to name a few.
Pangandaman signed the release of the funds, which are chargeable against the Free Public Internet Access Fund-Special Accounts in the General Fund (FPIAF-SAGF) under the fiscal year 2024 Automatic Appropriations, on Feb. 5, 2024.