“Free Internet Access Program” Republic Act No 10929 signed by Pres.
Duterte on August 3
The Department of Information and Communication Technology, as the lead agency, is ordered to
ensure there is free internet service in the following areas:
National and local government offices
Public basic education institutions
Public hospitals, health centers, and rural health units
Public parks, plazas, libraries, and barangay reading centers
Public airports and seaports
Public transport terminals
While it would be ideal for all areas in these establishments to have Wi-Fi, the law states that, at the
very least, internet should be available in main areas or rooms where internet access is expected.
These areas include:
Computer laboratories and libraries in public basic education institutions and state universities
and colleges
Main lobbies, hallways of public buildings or transport terminals
Assembly points in public parks, hospitals, and health centers
The DICT is tasked to make sure that each user experiences a minimum internet speed of 2 Mbps or the
speed requirement indicated in the National Broadband Plan, which Duterte approved last March.
According to the International Communications Union, only 44 million, or 43.5 percent of Filipinos, have
internet access as of 2016.
Meanwhile, Kabataan Partylist also lauded the new law, and added the telecom "duopoly" should also
be investigated to improve the internet speed in the country.
Philippines has Slowest Average Internet Speed in Asia Pacific
From: Akamai Technologies' Global State of the Internet Report, May 31, 2017
National Broadband Plan
In 2016, President Duterte had tasked the newly established Department of Information and
Communications technology (DICT) to carry out a National Broadband Plan (NBP), citing the intended
results of free public WiFi access, as well as the improvement of the country’s overall Internet speed.
The National Broadband Plan was developed to address the longstanding issue of Internet connection
quality in the Philippines. In line with the Philippine Digital Strategy, also developed by DICT, the NBP
zones in on the actual broadband technology solutions the country needs.
PAGTULUN-AN
Why do we need internet?
Banking and Commerce
- if there’s no internet, there’s no ATM
- online transactions made possible
- zero cost international money transfers
Communication
- gives us connection and real-time interaction with our loved ones abroad
- email, instant messaging, voice messages, video
Education
- exchange of knowledge and information made easy
- ease of research
Mainstream Entertainment
- cable TV through internet
- digital radio
- online videos
Government Services
- transparency to public information
- public announcement
- online applications and government documents
Empolyment
- online customer care
- online teaching
- home based jobs
Social Media
- Facebook
- Tweeter
- Instagram
- Tumbler
OPINYON:
“The only constant thing in the world is change”
By: Chester Elias
We cannot prohibit our children from existing in reality.
The previous generation has deprived the present of the treasures of nature.
It is natural for the present generation to live in an alternate reality.
Our duty is to guard and to guide.
In a rapidly changing world, we have an unchanging God who gives us an unchanging standard
of truth.
