In line with its objective of Internet for all, Pipol Konek – Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Project was launched at the Province of Zamboanga del Sur and the Municipality of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi on June 27, 2018 and August 8, 2018, respectively.
Held at the Capitol Gymnasium in Pagadian City, the launch in Zamboanga del Sur was administered by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio, Jr. and Mindanao Cluster 1 (MC1) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Director Maria Teresa Camba. Provincial and local government officials, headed by Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio “Tony” Cerilles and Pagadian City Mayor Hon. Romeo Pulmones, also joined the event. The following Pipol Konek live sites were introduced to Zamboangueños:
- DICT Pagadian
- Rizal Park
- Western Mindanao State University – Pagadian City Campus
- Pagadian Airport
- Zamboanga del Sur School of Arts and Trades
- San Pedro National High School Annex
- Santa Lucia Health Center
- San Pedro Municipal Health Center
- Tawagan Sur National High School
- San Jose Brgy. Health Center
- Municipal Plaza of Dimataling
- Municipal Plaza of Dinas
- Municipal Plaza of Dumalinao
- Municipal Plaza of Kumalarang
- Municipal Plaza of Labangan
- Municipal Plaza of Tukuran
- Municipal Plaza of Ramon Magsaysay
- Ramon Magsaysay Town Hall
- Dumalinao Town Hall
- Dinas Town Hall
- Dimataling Town Hall
- Dinas National High School
- Ramon Magsaysay Rural Health Unit
- Ramon Magsaysay Town Plaza
- Dumalinao Rural Health Unit
- Municipal Plaza of Pitogo
- Margosatubig Town Plaza
- Municipal Plaza of Margosatubig
- Municipal Plaza of Tabina
More than a month after the successful launch at Zamboanga del Sur, another launch was held at the Municipal Plaza of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. Present were Simunul Vice Mayor Wasilah T. Abdurahman and Simunul Department of Education (DepEd) District Supervisor Dr. Kiram K. Irilis. Representing DICT, meanwhile, were Undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim, Administrative Service OIC Director Nestor Bongato, and MC1 OIC Director Maria Teresa Camba. Two (2) Pipol Konek sites were unveiled:
- Municipal Plaza of Simunul
- Simunul Town Plaza
Both events were conducted in coordination with the local government units of Pagadian City and Simunul and DICT Regional Office – MC1. The abovementioned sites are among almost 2,000 public places already live all over the country as of this writing.
Pipol Konek – Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Project is an initiative of the DICT. The Project aims to improve internet accessibility, and in turn, enhance the quality of life of Filipinos nationwide.