PBBM leads rollout of ‘BroadBand ng Masa Program’

On Christmas eve, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. led the virtual rollout of Internet for students and teachers in remote areas as part of his administration's "BroadBand ng Masa Program".

The program aims to provide internet connectivity in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas across the country.

The Office of the Press Secretary said the President made a surprise appearance in an "Online Kamustahan" organized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

Here, the chief executive talked to students and teachers from various parts of the country, including the remote Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the President vowed to cover all areas in the country under the BBMP, particularly those that have no access to mobile cellular services.

"Those who live in remote areas need Internet, especially the children, for their schoolwork. Good thing, new technologies have already emerged that we can take full advantage of," Marcos said.

DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said the program seeks to build a "direct connection" between geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and the government.

"We will strengthen this and expand the Internet connection," Uy said.

In its report, DICT said among the agency's accomplishments toward enhancing the country's digital infrastructure are the Free Wi-Fi for All Program, which established an additional 628 operational free Wi-Fi sites on top of the existing 4,129 sites,  bringing the total live sites to 4,757 areas nationwide.

The OPS said this government service has been accessed by at least 2.1 million unique users, which translates to 100,000 families provided with connectivity all over the country.

Among those who joined the virtual event with the President were students and school representatives from Pag-asa Island Elementary School in Kalayaan, Palawan; Armenia Elementary School in Uson, Masbate; Bandera Elementary School in the Island Garden City of Samal; and Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

Students from Dioryong Integrated School in Nagtipunan, Quirino Province; Villa Espina Elementary School in Lopez, Quezon; and Landang Laum Elementary School in Zamboanga City also attended.