President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through the Economy and Development (ED) Council, has approved the National Digital Connectivity Plan (NDCP), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Monday.
The NDCP is the country’s first national infrastructure master plan for digital connectivity, marking a major step in the government’s push to make digital access a national priority, the DICT said in a statement.
Under the plan, the government targets full connectivity for all public schools, barangays, and health centers, the rollout of 130,000 free Wi-Fi sites nationwide, the creation of 8 million digital jobs, and a 40 to 80 percent reduction in internet costs.
The plan also aims to increase average broadband speeds to 225 Mbps for mobile services and 275 Mbps for fixed broadband, as it serves as the government’s strategic roadmap to provide fast, reliable, and affordable internet access nationwide by 2028.
The NDCP is expected to support economic growth, generate millions of digital jobs, and improve the delivery of public services, the DICT said.
Its approval by the Infrastructure Development Committee was formally confirmed during the 7th ED Council meeting on January 26, chaired by President Marcos at Malacañang’s Bahay Pangulo Pavilion.
The confirmation is consistent with Executive Order No. 72, series of 2024.
“With the NDCP approved, we are turning the President’s vision into reality: a connected Philippines where every student, worker, and entrepreneur can thrive,” DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said.
“This plan is more than infrastructure. It’s a pathway to opportunity, inclusion, and a digitally empowered Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.
The NDCP is anchored on four key outcomes: stronger digital connectivity governance, increased public and private infrastructure investment, wider access to affordable and reliable internet, and improved network resiliency.
Priority initiatives include completing the National Fiber Backbone, expanding submarine cable landing stations, accelerating next-generation mobile technologies, providing targeted connectivity for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, and strengthening cybersecurity and climate-resilient infrastructure.
“By improving connectivity governance, accelerating infrastructure rollout, and expanding access in underserved areas, the NDCP directly supports economic competitiveness, digital jobs, and more efficient delivery of government services,” Aguda said.
Following its confirmation by the ED Council, a draft executive order is expected to be issued to further strengthen the implementation of the digital connectivity master plan.
