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DICT launches free Wi-Fi sites in Mapun, Turtle Islands

Philippines | National

DICT launches free Wi-Fi sites in Mapun, Turtle Islands

By Jhon Aldrin Casinas

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has established free internet access to some areas in two remote islands in Tawi-Tawi.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
(MANILA BULLETIN)

Free Internet access points were setup at Turtle Island National High School and Turtle Islands Municipal Hall in Turtle Island, as well as at Mapun National High School and Mapun Municipal Hall in Mapun Island.

“Today, we advance one step ahead of our mission as we launch Free Wi-Fi sites in Mapun and Turtle Islands of Tawi-Tawi,” DICT Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II said in a statement.

“Likewise, we are also establishing our Tech4ED ICT Facility in Mapun to provide ICT services and digital literacy trainings to the residents of the area,” he added.

The two islands are among the group of small islands in the south-western tip of the Philippines, with Turtle Islands located right by the edge of the country’s border near Malaysia.

As of March 10, the DICT has deployed 8,170 free Wi-Fi sites across the country.

Under the Republic Act No. 10929, the DICT aims to establish free Internet access points in various national government agencies, hospitals, public schools, airports and terminals, among other public areas in the country.

“We envision the Free Wi-Fi Program to provide last mile connectivity in the country, complementing the National Broadband Program,” Honasan said.

“Through Free Wi-Fi, we want to reach places where there is minimal to no fiber and tower networks,” he added.

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