President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to establish connectivity in remote and isolated communities across the country.

President Marcos issued the directive during the sectoral meeting on the National Digital Connectivity Plan (NDCP) 2024-2028 in Malacañang, where the DICT presented its connectivity proposals.

“Let us establish first the connectivity. That’s more important than anything else,” the President said. The President particularly asked for improved internet connectivity in remote and isolated communities.

The President suggested rolling out the connectivity program in areas where the government can provide free Wi-Fi. To ensure a market for telecommunications companies, he said the government can help by providing connections to government facilities.

“We will now provide that market by giving [access] to government facilities, barangay offices, LGUs, etcetera. And that will establish the market,” the President said.

“Once nasanay ang tao na mayroon ng ganyan, we can put them already. We can put the allowance for WiFi already in the budget. Kasi nandyan na. We can put it in the budget of the government agency. Maliit lang naman,” he said.

Once the budget is approved, the NDCP will serve as the country’s strategic blueprint to bring universal and meaningful digital connectivity throughout the country and serve as a linchpin in creating a digital Philippines. PND