3 days ago
500 students, teachers, parents in Bulacan receive SIMS with free data
Globe Chief Commercial Officer Darius Delgado and DICT Asec. Phillip Varilla join the official launch of the Bayanihan SIM Project at Kalawakan Elementary School in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan.
A total of 500 students in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan have received SIM cards with free monthly data as part of the government's effort to promote digital inclusion by enabling learning, livelihood, and access to essential government services in far-flung communities.
Globe Telecom and the Department of Information and Communications Technology launched the Bayanihan SIM initiative at Kalawakan Elementary School in Doña Remedios Trinidad, a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area (GIDA) in Bulacan.
GCash, the Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Philippine Statistics Authority collaborated with DICT and Globe for the event.
The ceremonial launch marked the distribution of Globe-powered TM SIMs, each loaded with 25GB of monthly open-access data, to 500 students, teachers, and parents.
Each SIM card was activated on-site, with Globe personnel assisting in registration and data configuration.
The beneficiaries also received an additional 5GB upon activation, with the opportunity to unlock 15GB more by loading ?150 per month for the first three months.
The initiative is anchored on Republic Act No. 10929, or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act.
With the Bayanihan SIM, students can stream DepEd TV lessons, access Khan Academy for supplemental learning, or join online group work via Facebook Messenger.
On the other hand, teachers can manage digital classrooms, distribute materials, and attend online training sessions on platforms like Zoom.
Parents, meanwhile, can explore livelihood and financial tools through online Facebook group ThisisKwela, access GCash for safe digital transactions, and tap into e-commerce, fintech, and health-tech platforms to improve quality of life.
'Guided by the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure that no Filipino is left offline, this initiative goes beyond simply distributing SIM cards, it is a bold step toward closing the digital divide for millions of our countrymen,' said DICT Secretary Henry Aguda.
'Through our partnership with Globe, we are ensuring that even the most underserved communities are included in the country's digital future,' he added.
For the first time, the government is extending infrastructure subsidies to telcos to help close connectivity gaps in GIDA communities.
The program is expected to support the rollout of one million SIMs, each with 25GB monthly data, and enable the construction of new towers in unserved, while optimizing network performance in underserved locations.
'Globe is proud to lead the industry in this milestone program in partnership with the government,' said Globe president and CEO Carl Cruz.
'We believe that access to connectivity should not depend on geography. Through our infrastructure, our platform, and strong collaboration with the public sector, we are enabling opportunities where it's needed most and turning digital inclusion from vision to reality.'
The Bayanihan SIM initiative is set to benefit over 333,000 individuals nationwide.
'Globe is here not just to provide signal—but to build opportunity, one community at a time,' Cruz said.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/AOL, GMA Integrated News
