The importance of having a stable internet connection cannot be understated, especially in these times where every move and every action is tied to the internet. From finance to education, heck, even the government is slowly transitioning to a digital state.
However, issues still arise, mainly because of the lack of a proper digital infrastructure. There are still a lot of remote places in the Philippines where connectivity is hit or miss, especially in the southern region of the country.
Because of this, the current administration is looking into improving the internet connectivity, starting in Eastern Visayas. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shared his vision of the region in a Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting in Tacloban City. This initiative is meant to foster internet connectivity in remote areas of the country.
A few of the initiatives raised by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. involve deploying towers and the use of advanced technologies, such as satellite systems, for areas that are unable to be fitted with fiber optic networks.
Just recently, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), along with partners from the private sector, started a program to provide smartphones to locations deemed Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in order to eliminate the need for beneficiaries to visit ATMs in order to obtain their monthly compensation.
This move, along with overhauling the Free Wi-Fi program, is part of the government’s broader plans to digitize social services. In fact, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has long been pushing the digitalization of government services to streamline and reduce bureaucratic delays.
What do you think?