A project aimed at providing free Wi-Fi connectivity in communities was piloted in Quezon City Friday.
Community Wifi Advocates, led by its chief Eliseo Rio, launched its "WiKonek Community Wifi" project in Barangay Payatas after the area was chosen as the first community to be provided with 50 MB of free "fiber-like" internet connection.
Mayor Joy Belmonte, who was present during the launching, said the program will help her constituents connect with the services of the local government.
"We can also see this as a means to bridge the local government with our QCitizens, especially now that we’re moving our services online," she said.
"We have QC E-Services where our vaccination registration and financial assistance are linked. Through this, we can reach more constituents and they can access our programs without having to travel to the city hall," she added.
For Rio, Quezon City is the perfect city to launch their project by saying that Belmonte "believed in the power of technology."
"Through our partnership with QC Government, we will install at least 1,000 access points in the city especially in depressed areas that have low internet connection access before the end of the year,” he said.
After consuming the free 50 MB of data, users who wish to continue being connected may avail of more data, starting with P1.00 up to P20.00.
Payments may be made through over-the-counter or sari-sari stores, and eventually digital wallets.