THE DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has committed to connecting 11,964 unserved public schools in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) to the government’s Free WiFi program before the end of 2025.

DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda told the Senate on Monday that the rollout is part of the agency’s mandate to provide universal and affordable connectivity.

“Principal objective po ng aming kagawaran na siguraduhin ang universal affordable connectivity. Alam po natin na ang access to reliable internet ay hindi lamang sa usapin ng connectivity. Ito po ay susi para sa edukasyon tulad po ng nasabi ng mga guro natin ngayon (It is our principal objective to ensure universal and affordable connectivity. Reliable internet is not only about connectivity, it is also the key to education, as our teachers have pointed out today),” Aguda said during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

“Ongoing po ang pagpapatupad namin sa direktiba ng Pangulo na siguraduhin na 100 percent ng public schools sa Pilipinas ay connected na bago matapos ang 2025 kaya’t patuloy ang aming commitment na ipatupad ang Free Wifi for All Program na alam naming makakapag-bridge ng digital divide lalo na para sa mga GIDA areas (We are implementing the President’s directive to ensure that 100 percent of public schools in the Philippines are connected before the end of 2025, and we remain committed to carrying out the Free WiFi for All Program, which we know will help bridge the digital divide, especially for GIDA areas),” he added.

Committee chair Senator Bam Aquino, principal sponsor of Republic Act 10929 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, said internet access has become a necessity in education, work, business, and daily life.

Data presented during the hearing showed that only 2,872 of the country’s 58,121 public schools are connected to the program, leaving most dependent on private providers for connectivity.

This means that 11,964 schools, mostly in GIDA areas, remain without internet access.

The DICT has committed to bridging this gap and ensuring that 100 percent of public schools nationwide will be connected by the end of 2025.

Aquino also urged telecommunications companies to extend discounted rates to the Department of Education to help shoulder the cost of internet access in schools. Telecom representatives present expressed willingness to grant bulk discounts.

The committee report also flagged the need to review how the almost PHP18 billion allocated to the Free Public Internet Access Fund from 2018 to 2024 was spent, alongside clarifying DICT’s targets, coverage, and maintenance of free WiFi sites. (PNA)