THE DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology is set to distribute one million SIM cards to teachers and students in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) under the Bayanihan SIM project.

“Ang layon po natin ay marami ang digital infrastructure which is ‘yong tower sa iba’t ibang lugar, especially doon sa ating mga GIDA areas. Ang gagamitin po natin dito ay cell signal kasi towers po ang gagamitin natin,” said DICT Undersecretary Paul Joseph Mercado.

The DICT has partnered with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for this three-year targeted initiative, which aims to provide reliable connectivity to underserved communities across the country.

“With that one million SIM cards, may subscription po. Ang uunahin po naming bigyan ay ang mga estudyante at guro kasi ang purpose po nito ay ang ating education,” Mercado added.

Each SIM card, which comes with a 25GB monthly data allocation, will be distributed free of charge to qualified students and teachers.

The project is scheduled to roll out between the end of the second quarter and the third quarter of this year.