The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is intensifying its efforts to provide free internet access in public schools across the country, with a strong commitment to fulfill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive of 100% connectivity coverage by the end of 2025.
In an interview with DZRH Dos Por Dos on Thursday, June 19, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda emphasized the agency’s mission to deliver inclusive connectivity, especially in educational institutions.
“Kapag umikot kami sa mga school, kinakabitan namin ng connectivity. Sabi ni PBBM, hindi pwedeng 60% lang ang connectivity ng public schools. Kailangan 100% kaya mag-iikot kami ngayon kasama ang Department of Education,” Aguda stated.
The government’s initiative falls under the existing Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, which includes a program dubbed Free Wi-Fi for All.
“Sa school po, may programa kami na free Wi-Fi for all kasama po iyan sa batas na free internet access in public spaces,” the Aguda said.
He also revealed cost-saving strategies in the implementation of the program. Previously, each access point cost around PHP 60,000 per month to maintain, a figure he found unsustainable.
“Ang unang-una ginawa ko, tinignan ko yung mga Departmento tapos nakita ko na may mga bagay na kaya nating gawin na mas mura... Dati ang ginagastos natin sa free Wi-Fi per access point, nasa P60,000 per month. On our surface medyo mahal... Moving forward because of new technology, because of better contracting process, mapapababa natin iyan siguro babagsak natin iyan ng 90%,” he added.
The DICT currently operates around 18,000 working access points servicing schools, clinics, and barangays.
However, ge further said that this number recently dipped to 12,000 due to technical and operational challenges.
The agency is targeting to reach 50,000 access points nationwide within the existing PHP 5-billion budget.
“Ang target po namin is mag 50,000... P5-billion ang budget sa free Wi-Fi, kaya na nito i-cover ang buong Pilipinas. Next year, baka hindi na kami humingi ng additional budget pero iincrease namin ang beneficiaries.”
Reaching Remote Schools, Mountains, and Islands
Around 50,000 public schools still lack internet access, with at least 20,000 schools prioritized for connection by year-end. The DICT plans to achieve 100% coverage, regardless of geography.
“Nangako kami sa Presidente, tinapangan na namin, sabi namin, by end of this year, kahit na anong isla, kahit na anong bundok, sa may eskwelahan, lalagyan namin ng connectivity,” Aguda asserted.
“Basta under DEPED po, yan ang commitment namin. Basta lang may kuryente, nakakabit na namin yan ng connectivity. Meron na ring solar ngayon... Sa solar lang, total araw din naman ang eskwelahan.”
Aguda further explained that to connect far-flung islands, the department is working with satellite providers and leveraging technologies like Starlink.
“Yung isla, pwede natin lagyan ng mga satellite dish... Starlink po ginagamit natin. Tapos nung two months ago, lumipad po ako sa headquarters nila sa Florida... Tayo siguro ang magiging pangalawa sa pinakamalaking merkado ng Starlink by end of next year,” he continued.
Beyond infrastructure expansion, Aguda disclosed ongoing internal audits at DICT to root out inefficiencies and irregularities, particularly involving overpricing and underutilized government assets.
“May mga improvements na kailangan gawin... marami po kami assets sa DICT na hindi nagagamit... tulad ng National Broadband po,” he stated.
The audit also uncovered possible insider threats related to cybersecurity.
“May mga nakita kami, may mga persons of interest sa mga hacker sa loob ng DICT,” he revealed.
Fake news and social media regulation
Aguda expressed frustration over the spread of misinformation online, particularly on platforms like Facebook.
He shared that he has met with Meta several times to demand fair treatment for Filipino users.
“Hindi po tayo humihingi ng special attention. Gusto lang po natin ma-treat ang Pilipinas fairly kasi sa ibang bansa, napipigilan naman ang fake news,” he stated.
He also disclosed that Facebook and similar platforms do not pay corporate income taxes in the Philippines, sparking debates on regulation.
“So kung ang tanong nyo, pwede bang patigil yan? Pwede po... may national security aspect na po yun.”
Aguda welcomed legislative support to provide DICT with broader powers to regulate online platforms and protect citizens from harmful content.
“Pag gusto, may paraan. Pag ayaw, may dahilan. May dahilan na lang. Talagang ayaw nilang patanggal," he concluded.
