DBM Press Release
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is fulfilling his commitment to achieve full digital connectivity in all public schools across the country.
A concrete proof of this is the release of ₱3 billion by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to expand free internet access for students and teachers, especially those in so-called “last mile” schools and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
According to Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, “Before, weak or non-existent internet signals were a challenge for schools in remote areas. Today, we are making nationwide connectivity a reality. Through this program, students and teachers—especially in far-flung areas—will finally benefit from reliable digital access. No Filipino learner will be left behind in digital education.”
“Once free internet access is fully implemented in last mile schools and far-flung areas, our students and teachers will no longer have to spend much or travel far just to get Wi-Fi access. We want every young Filipino—whether in the city or in the farthest island—to have equal access to quality education,” Secretary Amenah added.
Of the total fund, ₱1.5 billion will be allocated to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Connectivity Enhancement Program for E-Learning, which aims to provide access to online learning materials and digital tools even for students in the most remote barangays.
“The President’s goal is to achieve 100% connectivity in all schools nationwide before the end of the year. This funding marks a major step toward realizing that vision,” Secretary Pangandaman emphasized.
Under Special Provision No. 26 of the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the program will be implemented by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) through its regional offices, using the list of schools provided by DepEd. The two agencies will enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to define their respective roles in ensuring efficient and timely implementation of the program.
At least 8,253 public schools are expected to benefit from the ₱1.5-billion allocation for DepEd, most of which are located in areas that have long struggled with poor or no internet connectivity.
In addition, the DBM has released another ₱1.5 billion to the DICT to support the Free Public Internet Access Program, specifically to fund internet connectivity, chargeable against the agency’s Special Account in the General Fund – Free Public Internet Access Fund.
“The President recognizes the importance of reliable internet connectivity in advancing digital learning—not just for students, but also for our teachers. Together with DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, we are united in fulfilling President Bongbong Marcos’ directive of providing free Wi-Fi for all,” Pangandaman added.
With this latest release, the government reaffirms its commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that every Filipino learner—whether in bustling cities or distant islands—enjoys equal access to quality, connected education. (END)
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FILIPINO VERSION
NEWS MATERIAL
Department of Budget and Management
October 15, 2015
Wi-fi para sa lahat: ₱3-Bilyon inilabas ng DBM para wakasan ang digital divide sa mga paaralan
Tinutupad ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang kanyang pangako na magkaroon ng ganap na digital connectivity sa lahat ng pampublikong paaralan sa bansa.
Konkretong patunay nito ay ang pagpapalabas ng Department of Budget and Management ng ₱3 bilyon upang mapalawak ang libreng internet access para sa mga mag-aaral at guro, lalo na sa mga tinaguriang “last mile” schools at Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
Ayon kay Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman: “Dati, malaking hamon ang mahinang o kawalan ng internet signal sa mga malalayong paaralan. Ngayon, ginagawa nating realidad ang pambansang connectivity. Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, makikinabang na ang mga estudyante at guro - lalo na sa mga liblib na lugar - sa maaasahang digital access. Walang maiiwang mag-aaral sa larangan ng digital education.”
“Oras na tuluyang maisakatuparan ang libreng internet access para sa last mile schools and far-flung areas, hindi na kailangang gumastos ng malaki o maglakbay ng malayo ang mga mag-aaral at guro natin sa mga liblib na lugar para lang makasagap ng Wi-Fi. Gusto po natin, maging pantay ang access sa dekalidad na edukasyon ng mga kabataan, nasa siyudad ka man o malalayong isla,” dagdag pa ni Secretary Amenah.
Mula sa kabuuang pondo, ₱1.5 bilyon ang ilalaan sa Connectivity Enhancement Program for E-Learning ng Department of Education (DepEd), na layong bigyan ng access sa mga online learning materials at digital tools kahit ang mga estudyante sa malalayong barangay.
Dagdag pa ni Pangandaman, “Hangarin ng Pangulo na maabot ang 100% connectivity sa lahat ng paaralan sa buong bansa bago matapos ang taon. Malaking hakbang ang pondo para sa pagtupad sa layuning ito.”
Ayon sa Special Provision No. 26 ng FY 2025 General Appropriations Act, ang programa ay ipapatupad ng Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) sa pamamagitan ng mga regional offices nito, gamit ang listahan ng mga paaralang isusumite ng DepEd. Isang Memorandum of Agreement ang gagawin ng dalawang ahensya upang pagtibayin ang kani-kanilang papel sa maayos at napapanahong pagpapatupad ng programa.
Inaasahang makikinabang ang hindi bababa sa 8,253 public schools mula sa ₱1.5-bilyong alokasyon ng DepEd, karamihan ay mula sa mga lugar na matagal nang hirap sa internet connectivity.
Bukod dito, naglabas rin ang DBM ng karagdagang ₱1.5 bilyon para sa DICT upang suportahan ang Free Public Internet Access Program, partikular sa pagbabayad ng internet connectivity, na kukunin mula sa Special Account in the General Fund - Free Public Internet Access Fund ng ahensya.
“Alam ng Pangulo ang kahalagahan ng maaasahang internet connectivity sa pagpapalaganap ng digital learning, hindi lamang para sa mga estudyante kundi pati na rin sa mga guro. Sa pakikiisa nina DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara at DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, sabay-sabay nating tinutupad ang direktiba ni PBBM na libreng Wi-Fi para sa lahat,” dagdag pa ni Pangandaman.
Sa pondong ito, muling pinagtitibay ng pamahalaan ang layunin nitong mapaliit ang digital divide at tiyakin na bawat mag-aaral - nasa lungsod man o sa malalayong isla - ay may pantay na access sa dekalidad at konektadong edukasyon.
[END]
