ILOILO CITY – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Sen. Loren Legarda have launched two programs boosting connectivity in Antique province.
DICT Secretary Ivan Uy, Sen. Loren Legarda, Rep. AA Legarda, Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, and Dr. Pablo Crespo Jr. launch the Broadband ng Masa at the University of Antique in Sibalom, Antique. (Tara Yap)
“This aligns with the Marcos administration’s strong stand that connectivity, and ultimately digital transformation, is a key agenda for the Philippines in the next six years,” said DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy at the launching of its flagship program Broadband ng Masa and e-governance in Sibalom town on Monday, March 6.
The P71.9-million broadband project will provide WiFi access to 150 barangays across Antique, especially the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). It is also available in all five campuses of the University of Antique (UA).
Uy credited Legarda, who served as congressional representative of Antique from 2019 to 2022, for the programs of connectivity being the principal author of Republic Act No. 10844 which created the DICT.
“She already had this vision more than 20 years ago,” Uy said.
“The law’s mission to promote the use of ICT for the enhancement of key public services, such as education, public health and safety, revenue generation, and socio-civic purposes. This we call as e-governance,” Legarda added.
The DICT inked a memorandum with the local government units (LGUs) of 18 towns to improve connectivity and reliability.
Also at the ceremonial launching were Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, Rep. AA Legarda, provincial board members, municipal mayors, UA President Dr. Pablo Crespo Jr., and supervisors of the Department of Education (DepEd) Antique.
Legarda said the WiFi program will expand to other parts of the country starting with neighboring provinces in Panay Island, including Iloilo and Aklan.