If there is one word that can capture the Filipino spirit, it is resilient. Time and again, especially in times of calamity, Filipinos have demonstrated only the strongest of wills. Coupled with access to the right tools and skills, one can imagine the heights the trademark Filipino resiliency can reach.
“With the on-going pandemic, the need for a strong internet connection is seen as necessary for the province in order to cope with the fast-phased exchanges of information related to COVID-19 and the online teaching across the Department of Education,” said Basilan Governor Jim S. Hataman Salliman of Basilan.
With the theme, “Maximizing ICT for New Normal,” the Department of Information and Communications Technology – Regional Operations Offices (DICT-ROO) at Visayas Cluster 1 (VC1) and Mindanao Cluster 1 (MC1) culminated their ICT Month 2020 celebration last 30 June 2020 with the conduct of back-to-back online ceremonial launching events of Free Wi-Fi for All sites in Bacolod and Basilan.
VC2’s launch covered three (3) campuses of the Bacolod City College, while twenty (20) free Wi-Fi sites were launched by MC1 alongside the Basilan Wireless Broadband Network and the DICT Basilan Provincial Office.
Graced by the virtual presence of several DICT and Local Government Unit (LGU) officials as well as netizens from within and outside Bacolod and Basilan, both launches were streamed real-time via Zoom and Facebook Live.
DICT Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II reiterated in his message the importance of access to vital information: “Access to data has become a right much like food, clothing, shelter, education, and health services. And with the Internet becoming a definitive window to the world’s wealth of information, access to it should be a right of every Filipino and not just the privilege of a few. This is the essence of the Republic Act 10929 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act,” he explained.
The following Free Wi-Fi for All sites had been launched during the two (2) events:
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental:
- Bacolod City College – Taculing
- Bacolod City College – Sumag
- Bacolod City College – Fortune Town
Lamitan and Isabela, Basilan:
- DICT Basilan Provincial Office
- Basilan National High School
- Basilan Provincial Capitol
- Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office
- Basilan Provincial Library
- Infantry Brigade101 Headquarters, Isabela City
- Isabela City Hall
- Isabela City Maritime Police
- Isabela City Port
- Isabela City Post Office
- Malamawi National High School
- 18th Infantry Battalion, Armed Forces of the Philippines Camp, Lamitan City
- Business Center, Lamitan City
- Datu Kalun Plaza, Lamitan City
- Digital Hub, Lamitan City
- Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Lamitan City
- Lamitan City Hall
- Lamitan City Health Office
- Lamitan City Port
- Lamitan City Infirmary
Once with inadequate Internet services, it is envisioned that the presence of the Free Wi-Fi for All in these locations shall expand their respective communication landscapes, providing people with much-needed access to connectivity while the country adjusts to our new normal.
You can visit the Free Wi-Fi for All Facebook page and this website for updates on operational Free Wi-Fi for All sites in your area.