ILOILO City – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has established 567 active free Wi-Fi sites across Western Visayas as of October 2024.
The distribution of these sites is as follows: Aklan with 125 sites; Antique with 13; Capiz with 157; Guimaras with 24; Iloilo with 210; and Negros Occidental with 38.
DICT Region 6 director Ralph Joseph Moncatar said this initiative is in line with Republic Act No. 10929, which mandates free, fast, and secure internet access in public places such as hospitals, schools, state universities and colleges, airports, seaports, and terminals.
The Free Wi-Fi for All program is part of the government’s effort to enhance internet accessibility for Filipinos, aiming to boost economic, social, and educational opportunities while bridging the digital divide.
In addition, DICT’s central office is processing the bidding for the renewal of contracts for Wi-Fi providers in 450 sites across 150 barangays in Antique under the “Broadband ng Masa” Project (BBMP).
“Procurement is done centrally, and we depend on the Central Office for its success. The first bidding failed, and the second bidding is currently in process,” Moncatar said, referring to the BBMP in Antique, which was launched in March 2023.
Meanwhile, the DICT is gathering data on the number of households in the region that have benefited from the free Wi-Fi program, with findings expected to be released by the first week of 2025.
DICT also plans to prioritize the installation of free Wi-Fi at the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, which recently resumed international flights.
“We have already requested budget allocation for next year’s implementation. I think we need to prioritize the airport because of its international flights,” Moncatar said.
The target for the Iloilo Airport’s free Wi-Fi installation is the third or fourth quarter of 2025./PN
