SENATOR SHERWIN Gatchalian said only 1.8 percent of public schools nationwide have access to free wifi five years after the enactment of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act.

Because of this, Gatchalian urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology to ensure that it meets its target in rolling out internet connection in public places, especially educational institutions.

“Our learners are the ones who will greatly benefit from this because it will improve the flow of information, especially for our poorest constituents,” he said.

Based on the Free Public Wi-Fi Dashboard, only 860 public schools or 1.8% of the country’s 47,421 public schools have free access to Wi-Fi as of September 2, 2022.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education said that the Covid19 pandemic emphasized the country’s digital divide. It also revealed the need for accessible and reliable internet connection.

A 2021 survey by the World Bank on low-income households showed only 40% have access to the internet. The same survey also revealed that 95.5% of these households used paper-based learning modules and materials.

Under the proposed 2023 national budget, P2.5 billion was earmarked for the implementation of Republic Act 10929.

Earlier this year, Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution No. 59, which seeks a Senate review on the implementation of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act and the Open Distance Learning Act.