“Government, telcos, investors, innovators, and local communities [must] work together, ensuring that every Filipino, from the highest mountains to the farthest islands, is connected.”
— DICT Secretary Henry Aguda
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is championing a unified front, calling on the public, private and civil sectors to bridge the digital divide.
By working together, the agency envisions a future where seamless connectivity reaches every corner of the archipelago, empowering all Filipinos in the digital age.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda has called for collective action from the private, public and civil sectors to ensure digital connectivity across the country.
Speaking at the Philippine Telecom Summit 2026, Aguda introduced the “Digital Bayanihan” initiative. The program aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure no Filipino remains offline by fostering cooperation between the state and private industry.
“Government, telcos, investors, innovators, and local communities [must] work together, ensuring that every Filipino, from the highest mountains to the farthest islands, is connected,” Aguda said.
He said that connectivity has evolved beyond a technological requirement to become a pillar of the national economy. He noted that internet access now dictates the trajectory of the job market, education, investment and the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises.
The Digital Bayanihan program is anchored by Republic Act 12234, also known as the “Konektadong Pinoy” law. It is supported by the ongoing construction of the National Fiber Backbone, a flagship infrastructure project designed to expand the country’s digital reach.
National Telecommunications Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez said during the summit that multisectoral cooperation and the backbone project are the primary drivers for bringing reliable service to remote areas.
“A true konektadong pinoy [connected Filipino] is achieved not by policy alone, but through sustained cooperation and collective responsibility,” Lopez said.
The summit convened top-ranking telecommunications executives and government officials to discuss the theme of aligning policy, infrastructure and investment.
The event cited the need for shared responsibility in delivering accessible digital services to 100-percent of the population.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is championing a unified front, calling on the public, private and civil sectors to bridge the digital divide.
By working together, the agency envisions a future where seamless connectivity reaches every corner of the archipelago, empowering all Filipinos in the digital age.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda has called for collective action from the private, public and civil sectors to ensure digital connectivity across the country.
Speaking at the Philippine Telecom Summit 2026, Aguda introduced the “Digital Bayanihan” initiative. The program aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure no Filipino remains offline by fostering cooperation between the state and private industry.
“Government, telcos, investors, innovators, and local communities [must] work together, ensuring that every Filipino, from the highest mountains to the farthest islands, is connected,” Aguda said.
He said that connectivity has evolved beyond a technological requirement to become a pillar of the national economy. He noted that internet access now dictates the trajectory of the job market, education, investment and the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises.
The Digital Bayanihan program is anchored by Republic Act 12234, also known as the “Konektadong Pinoy” law. It is supported by the ongoing construction of the National Fiber Backbone, a flagship infrastructure project designed to expand the country’s digital reach.
National Telecommunications Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez said during the summit that multisectoral cooperation and the backbone project are the primary drivers for bringing reliable service to remote areas.
“A true konektadong pinoy [connected Filipino] is achieved not by policy alone, but through sustained cooperation and collective responsibility,” Lopez said.
The summit convened top-ranking telecommunications executives and government officials to discuss the theme of aligning policy, infrastructure and investment.
The event cited the need for shared responsibility in delivering accessible digital services to 100-percent of the population.
