Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to accelerate the roll-out of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project to expand access to free public Wi-Fi, helping more people across the country to connect to the internet.
Gatchalian emphasized that faster implementation is crucial to ensuring that all Filipinos can enjoy reliable internet especially in remote and underserved communities. He stressed that reliable internet access should no longer be viewed as a luxury but as an essential service that is crucial for equitable access to education, work, and public services.
“Through this project, lalawak na ang saklaw ng libreng Wi-Fi para sa publiko, habang ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno at mga lokal na pamahalaan ay makakakuha ng mas mura at secure na internet connection,” said Gatchalian, adding that it is not just about convenience, it’s about empowering people with opportunities for learning, employment, and participation in a digital society.
“Currently, the government relies on third party providers to supply internet access for various DICT projects like the government network project and the free public internet access project. But once the national fiber backbone is fully completed and properly maintained, the government will no longer need to depend on external providers. This will make free public Wi-Fi more reliable, secure, and widely available since the infrastructure will be owned and managed by the government, ensuring greater accessibility for all,” he added.
The senator explained that improving internet accessibility in remote and underserved areas will bridge the digital divide, giving every Filipino the chance to participate in the digital economy and access essential government services. It will transform the way public services are delivered, fostering a more inclusive and connected society, he said.
The National Fiber Backbone project, which is a key component of the National Broadband Program implemented by the DICT, involves laying approximately 6,275 kilometers of fiber optic cable, including submarine cables and microwave radio links. Phase 1 of the project was launched in April this year while Phases 2 and 3, covering Northern Luzon to Bicol and parts of Visayas and Mindanao, are underway and are expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year. Phases 4 and 5, under the Philippine Digital Infrastructure Program, will extend connectivity throughout the Visayas and Mindanao while Phase 6 will reach the most geographically isolated provinces.
