THE DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology has allocated P7.7 billion in its 2021 budget to have free wi-fi access to public places and State Universities and Colleges around the country.

According to DICT Secretary Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan II, the department targeted to establish some 23,100 live sites by the end of 2021.

About 10,300 sites will be placed on public schools and 1,804 on SUCs and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority institutions.

“We are aiming to provide every public school and SUC with free Internet connectivity and access to aid our students and teachers adapt to the new normal in the education sector,” Honasan said.

“This is part of our commitment to DepEd, CHED, and TESDA to ensure the education sector’s access to broadcast, connectivity and digital security this coming school year while the country is still under state of public health emergency,” he added.

The DICT will reportedly install some 5,644 sites in national and local government offices, 3,300 sites in government hospitals and health units, 1,505 in parks and other open areas, 368 sites in public libraries and 179 in transportation terminals.

Around 4,248 sites are installed and more than 400 of these are in government hospitals and rural health units under the Free Wi-Fi for All Program.