DBM, nagpalabas ng ₱2.5 Billion para sa Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP)

INAPRUBAHAN ni Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Mina F. Pangandaman ang pagpapalabas ng Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) na nagkakahalaga ng P2.5 billion, at Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) para sa first quarter na nagkakahalaga ng P356.2M para sa Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) ng Department of Information and Communications Technology—Office of the Secretary (DICT-OSEC).

Saklaw ng disbursement ang implementasyon ng locally-funded projects kabilang na ang Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP).

“This funding is crucial because the internet is central to our emerging new age— the digital era. It is the backbone of our modern world. It connects us and makes everything more convenient, powering education, economy, health care, public safety, and even government services,” ayon kay Sec. Pangandaman.

Sa ilalim ng FPIAP ay ang pagtatayo ng Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities gaya ng high-capacity networks, Middle Mile, at Last Mile ICT infrastructures, at maging ang mga tower, data centers, assets, at Iba pang service buildings.

Mula sa budget, mahigit sa ₱2.4 billion ang ilalaan sa free internet wifi connectivity sa mga pampublikong lugar.

Ang natitirang ₱50 million ay mapupunta sa connectivity concerns para sa State Universities and Colleges (SUC).

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration strives to make network connectivity more available for everyone, especially for our public servants and students. Sa Bagong Pilipinas, we are united as Filipino people both physically and online,” ang paliwanag ng Kalihim.

Layon ng FPIAP na makapagbigay ng zero-cost internet access sa public spaces sa buong bansa.

Ang mga public areas na ito ay ang national at government offices, public basic education institutions, SUCs, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) institutions, at maging ang mga pampublikong ospital, medical care facilities, mga plaza, at transport terminals.

Samantala, tinintahan ni Sec. Mina ang pagpapalabas ng pondo, huhugutin mula sa Free Public Internet Access Fund—Special Accounts in the General Fund (FPIAF-SAGF) sa ilalim ng fiscal year 2024 Automatic Appropriations, Pebrero 5, 2024. (Daris Jose)