Over 15,000 free Internet sites are set to be launched next year in a bid to boost connectivity across the Philippines, Malacañang announced on Monday.

The Office of the Press Secretary, in a statement, said this is among the targets of the Department of Information and Communications Technology for 2023 under its "digital infrastructure thrust."

Other plans of the DICT include the completion of the Broadband ng Masa's Luzon Bypass Infrastructure Phase 1 in the first half of 2023 as well as the improvement of satellite connectivity with Starlink and Satellite Systems Providers and/or Operators.

The Marcos administration is looking into launching the "Digital Cities Program" to promote investments and generate jobs in the countryside by transforming 31 cities into Information Technology and Business Process Management hubs in 2025.

"The DICT will also push for the development and implementation of interagency initiatives such as the National ID of the Philippine Statistics Authority, iLGU of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Vaxcert of the Department of Health, E-Commerce of the Department of Trade and Industry, and OFW App of the Department of Migrant Workers," the OPS said.

"The DICT will also play a significant part in the implementation of the SIM Card Registration Law, being the agency mandated to collect SIM Card registries from public telecommunications entities and maintain the records," it added.

Cybersecurity being the "primary concern" of DICT, the DICT is working on the "National Cybersecurity Plan for 2023 to 2028."

The plan seeks to protect the country from organized cybercriminals and most especially from state-sponsored cyberattacks.

DICT said it has monitored more than 1,000 cybersecurity threats and launched Cybersecurity Awareness programs this year.

Meanwhile, in its accomplishment report, DICT stated that it successfully activated 4,757 live WiFi sites in 17 regions, 75 provinces and the National Capital Region.

This is in addition to 606 cities and municipalities which have undergone digitalization, according to the agency.

"To promote investments, the DICT carried out the Digital Startup Development and Acceleration Program, led the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area ICT cluster for the year 2022-2025, and signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore's ministry of communications and information," OPS said.

"In order to improve bureaucratic efficiency, the DICT launched the e-Gov Super App, the country's first one-stop platform for local and national government services that will streamline processes and transactions and ensure ease of doing business for Filipinos," it added.

DICT also noted its accomplishment with the signing of the SIM Card Registration into law, which it believes would reduce mobile-related crimes such as text scams.

Republic Act 11934 is the first law by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. since assuming the highest office on 30 June 2022.

Signed on 10 October, it requires all prepaid SIM card users to register with their prepaid telecommunications provider before activation.