ILOILO City – Thousands of residents in Western Visayas, including those in some of the region’s most isolated and underserved communities, now have access to free internet.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) activated 2,020 public Wi-Fi sites, marking one of the largest digital connectivity expansions ever undertaken in the region.
The massive rollout is expected to transform access to education, healthcare, government services, and economic opportunities, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas where internet connectivity has long remained scarce or unreliable.
Under the government’s Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP), internet services are now available in government hospitals, rural health units, public schools, state universities and colleges, libraries, parks, and transport terminals across Western Visayas.
DICT reported that 1,521 Wi-Fi sites have already been activated under its Subscription of Internet Service (SIS) project, including 624 sites in Antique, 336 in Iloilo, 180 in Guimaras, 177 each in Aklan and Capiz, and 27 sites in state universities and colleges.
The agency also established 499 additional Wi-Fi sites through various FPIAP projects, with priority given to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), further extending connectivity to communities that have traditionally been left out of the digital economy.
Beyond public internet access, the DICT announced the expansion of GovNet, a secure government communications network that will connect 70 government institutions in Iloilo and strengthen the delivery of public services through faster and more reliable digital infrastructure.
The GovNet expansion, undertaken in partnership with the University of the Philippines Visayas, will extend connectivity to Iloilo Province municipalities including Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, and Miag-ao, enhancing communications among local government offices and public institutions.
“For a decade, DICT has walked alongside the people of Western Visayas – building not just networks, but trust; not just systems, but opportunities. In Region VI, our mission has been clear: to ensure that every Ilonggo, Antiqueño, Aklanon, Guimarasnon, and Capiznon community is included in the nation’s digital journey,” said Engr. Reynaldo Sy, DICT Region 6 director.
“As we mark this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to inclusive innovation and principled public service – because real progress is measured not by infrastructure alone, but by the lives we uplift and the future we build together,” Sy added.
DICT assistant secretary Pinky Jimenez said the agency remains focused on ensuring that marginalized communities are not excluded from the country’s digital transformation.
“The primary advocacy of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is to ensure that ‘no one is left behind.’ This initiative encompasses the development of infrastructure, as well as digital upskilling and training programs,” Jimenez said.
She emphasized that the agency is actively working with underserved communities to bridge the digital divide and expand opportunities through technology.
The launch coincides with the DICT’s celebration of a decade of digital transformation efforts and underscores the government’s continuing push to make internet access a vital public service and a gateway to inclusive growth in Western Visayas./PN
