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Gov't free Wi-Fi program earmarked P2.5B in 2024

Philippines | National

Gov't free Wi-Fi program earmarked P2.5B in 2024

By Ellson Quismorio

At A Glance

A budget of P2.5 billion has been earmarked for the national government's free Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) program for the year 2024.

(Unsplash)

A budget of P2.5 billion has been earmarked for the national government's free Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) program for the year 2024.

This was learned following the Department of Budget and Management's (DBM) submission of the P5.768-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) to the House of Representatives last week.

The P2.5 billion budget will be used to support the Free Internet Wi-Fi Connectivity in Public Places and SUCs program. The program targets an additional 50,000 sites with broadband access/connectivity in 82 provinces.

The amount is just slightly more than the 2024 NEP allocation for the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Integrated Livelihood Program (P2.3 billion).

The free Wi-Fi program is under the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).

According to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s budget message that came along with the NEP, the government has allocated P9.9 billion to the DICT “to make the Philippines future-ready through digitalization".

On the other hand, the National Broadband Plan was allocated P1.5 billion.

The project aims to fast-track the installation of fiber optic cables nationwide, which is expected to increase the overall internet speed of the country and make available open, affordable, and trusted broadband internet access.

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