Latest news with #NationalFiberBackbone
GMA Network
12-08-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT begins rollout of final phases of Nat'l Fiber Backbone
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday announced it has begun the rollout of the final phases of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB), under the P16.1-billion Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project, in Butuan City. In a news release, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda spearheaded the launch of the Phase 4 and 5 of the NFB —adding over 1,000 kilometers of high-speed, government-owned fiber network to connect key Mindanao cities such as Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Zamboanga, and Davao. Phase 1 of the project, completed in April last year, covered 1,245 kilometers of fiber connecting Ilocos Norte to Quezon City; while the Phases 2 and 3, launched in July, will add about 1,800 kilometers covering Regions II, IV-A, V, VIII, X, and XI. Aguda said the Phase 4 and 5 of the backbone will initially serve government offices, state universities, local government units, and hospitals, and will eventually extend connectivity to every barangay. 'Mindanao will no longer be the last to connect; it will be among the first to lead,' said the DICT chief. 'This is the start of inclusive development, digital equity, digital justice, and digital empowerment,' said Aguda. The DICT chief noted that the project will translate to faster, more reliable, and more affordable internet across Mindanao. He also stressed that the rollout will position Butuan as the 'digital gateway of Mindanao', attracting investments in data centers, technology hubs, and rural business process outsourcing (BPO) facilities. — Ted Cordero/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
28-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos vows internet for all public schools by end of 2025
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed Monday that all public schools in the Philippines will have internet access before the end of 2025, as part of his administration's aggressive push to modernize education and bridge the country's digital divide. During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the lack of connectivity in thousands of schools remains a major challenge, but one his administration is determined to solve within the year. 'Halos labindalawang libong pampublikong paaralan pa ang walang internet. Kaya sinisiguro ng DICT at DepEd na bago matapos ang taong ito, magkakaroon na ng koneksyon sa internet ang lahat ng pampublikong paaralan,' he noted. (Nearly 12,000 public schools still have no internet. That's why the DICT and DepEd are making sure that before the year ends, every public school will be connected to the internet.) Marcos emphasized that internet access is a vital tool in building a "Bagong Pilipinas"—a more connected, inclusive, and future-ready nation. 'Napakahalaga ng internet sa ating pagtahak patungo sa Bagong Pilipinas... Hindi lang ito para sa may kaya, o para lamang sa mga bata. Ito ay para sa lahat,' he said. (The internet is crucial in our path toward a New Philippines... It is not just for the privileged or for the young. It is for everyone.) He reported that the first three phases of the National Fiber Backbone project have been completed, significantly enhancing the country's internet infrastructure. At the same time, the number of Free Wi-Fi sites nationwide has jumped from just 4,000 in June 2022 to nearly 19,000 this year. Additionally, over a million SIM cards loaded with free data have been distributed to schools, particularly in far-flung areas, to support distance learning and digital access for students and teachers. 'Ngayong taon din, nagsimula na tayong mamigay ng mahigit isang milyong SIM cards na may libreng data para sa ating mga eskuwelahan, lalo na sa mga liblib na pook,' Marcos said. (This year, we began distributing over a million SIM cards with free data to our schools, especially in remote areas.) More towers and cell sites are also being constructed in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) to ensure even the most remote schools will not be left behind. The President's statement aligns with his broader education reforms, which include free higher education, teacher support, and digital learning tools like laptops and smart TVs. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
31 digital hubs launched to boost internet access in public schools
The launch of 31 new digital connection points under Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) is seen as a key driver in this push, expanding access across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. (File photo) In a major step toward closing the digital divide in education, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are ramping up efforts to connect all public schools to the internet by the end of 2025. The launch of 31 new digital connection points under Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) is seen as a key driver in this push, expanding access across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. led the official launch of the NFB expansion on July 7 in Leyte, affirming the administration's goal to bring affordable, fast, and reliable internet to underserved communities and schools, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). 'Mahigit 600 tanggapan ng gobyerno ang magkakaroon ng mabilis at maaasahang internet. Mapapakinabangan ito ng halos 17 milyong Pilipino. At kapag buo na ang National Fiber Backbone, maaari pang mabawasan ang gastos sa mga telco at internet providers dahil may sarili na tayong imprastruktura. Mas abot-kayang internet, mas maraming Pilipino ang konektado,' said Marcos. (More than 600 government offices will have fast and reliable internet. Around 17 million Filipinos will benefit from this. And once the National Fiber Backbone is complete, we may even reduce costs with telcos and internet providers because we will have our own infrastructure. More affordable internet means more Filipinos connected.) Among the top beneficiaries of the expansion are public schools, many of which still struggle with poor or no internet connection. Of the nearly 47,000 schools nationwide, thousands remain unserved or underserved, especially in remote provinces. With the addition of 31 new connection hubs, more schools will gain access to critical bandwidth for learning, teaching, and administration. DepEd said the fiber backbone is already transforming learning environments under its Digital Bayanihan Project, launched in partnership with DICT. The program targets last-mile schools with free WiFi, mobile data, and digital support. One such success story is Bay-ang National High School in Ajuy, Iloilo. Previously labeled a 'dead spot,' the school now has working internet access for the first time. Teachers are able to submit online reports, conduct ICT classes, and access e-learning tools on campus. Aside from fiber expansion, the government is deploying short-term digital solutions. The Bayanihan SIM Program began its rollout on June 27 in Bulacan, Zambales, and Quezon, providing free SIM cards with mobile data to over 113,000 learners, 3,800 teachers, and 357 public schools. Looking ahead, the PSIP Connect project—part of the broader PPP for School Infrastructure—will deliver devices, solar-powered internet solutions, and satellite connectivity to underserved schools beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026. Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that digital connectivity is a non-negotiable part of delivering quality education in the 21st century. 'Hindi natin mapapalago ang kalidad ng edukasyon kung hindi konektado ang ating mga paaralan sa mundo. Sa direktiba ni President Marcos at sa tulong ng DICT at ng buong pamahalaan, isinusulong natin ang digital inclusion na tunay na may malasakit,' said Angara. (We cannot improve the quality of education if our schools are not connected to the world. With the directive of President Marcos, and the help of DICT and the entire government, we are pushing for digital inclusion rooted in compassion.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos: Over P500M allotted to restore San Juanico bridge load limit
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Monday that more than P500 million has already been allocated to restore San Juanico Bridge's load limit to 12 to 15 metric tons by December 2025. Speaking at the grand launch of Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project in Palo, Leyte, Marcos tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to expedite the retrofitting and complete restoration of the bridge, citing its burden to residents, businesses, and travelers in the region. ''May higit kalahating bilyong piso na pondo ang nakalaan para maibalik sa labindawala hanggang labinlimang metric tons ang load limit sa susunod na Disyembre,'' Marcos said in his speech. (More than P500 million was allocated to return the load limit to 12 to 15 metric tons by December.) Earlier, the President said he wants to increase the load limits of San Juanico Bridge to 12 tons by December this year. Marcos had apologized to the residents in Samar and Leyte who were affected by the rehabilitation, saying that the government wants to ensure their safety. In May, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that the present load limits of San Juanico Bridge amid its rehabilitation might be increased in the next months. He said the increase in the load limits could be implemented in the last quarter of this year.
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Internet access no longer a privilege but a necessity — Marcos
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. emphasized Monday that having a reliable internet access is no longer a privilege but a necessity. Marcos said this during the grand launch of the National Fiber Backbone Phases 2 and 3 in Leyte province. ''Dahil sa panahon ngayon, hindi na privilege ang pagkakaroon ng access sa mabilis na internet, ito ay pangangailangan na. Kailangan ito sa pagaaral, sa trabaho, sa negosyo at para mapanatili ang koneksyon sa mga mahal sa buhay," Marcos said in his speech. (At this time, having a fast internet access is not a privilege but a necessity. This is needed in studies, work, business and in maintaining connections with our loved ones.) Last month, the President vowed to provide efficient internet connectivity among schools across the country, particularly those situated in far-flung and isolated areas. The National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project seeks to create a robust and secure fiber optic network spanning the entire country. Serving as backbone for enhance internet connectivity, it is aiming for a faster, more reliable, and fully digitalized services for all Filipinos. The Department of Information and Communications Technology is ready to significantly expand NFB's reach from Northern Luzon to several parts of Visayas and Mindanao through NFB Phases 2 and 3. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
