SENATE President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda emphasized the importance of strong and affordable internet connectivity, especially for education, amid the country’s digital transformation.

Legarda made the statement after the launch of e-Governance and WiFi sites in 150 villages in Sibalom, Antique.

The project, spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology, aims to ensure the availability of internet services in different campuses of the University of Antique and other parts of the province, including indigenous community areas.

“As the principal author of Republic Act No. 10844, the law that created the Department of Information and Communications Technology, I have always been aware of the importance of ICT in our nation’s progress. It is vital that we fast-track the provision of affordable, accessible, and reliable internet services to our communities. This is exactly what we are doing today,” Legarda said.

She stressed the significance of investing more in technology, as seen during the Covid19 pandemic, where most Filipinos shifted to a digital environment as an alternative to physical interaction.

“We can no longer stall digital transformation – it is inevitable. The launch of these free Wi-Fi sites is only the beginning. We are doing this not only for our kasimanwas in Antique, but also to our kababayan in the different parts of the country, with our strengthened partnership with the DICT,” the senator said.