DICT expands free Wi-Fi access to 352 public schools in Sorsogon
By Benilda Recebido
SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- Access to the internet and essential online services has become more accessible for people in Sorsogon, following the launch of the Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP) by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in the Bicol region.
The program was introduced on September 14 during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” service caravan held at the Sorsogon Convention Center. FPIAP was expected to benefit 352 public schools in the province.
The event included 357 participants, including representatives from the Department of Education in Sorsogon, local government officials, and various organizations that support the FPIAP.
The program, themed “Konektadong Sorsogon: Libreng Internet, Mas Malawak na Oportunidad,” aimed to provide reliable internet connectivity and bring the advantages of digital technology closer to students, teachers, and the community as a whole.
With this new internet access, students and teachers can easily use online resources, educational platforms, and virtual classrooms.
Additionally, community members will find free internet access points in barangay halls, public markets, health units, and tourist areas, allowing them to access government services and explore opportunities for work and development.
Edgar Navarro, assistant project director of FPIAP, emphasized the ongoing expansion of free Wi-Fi connectivity in public spaces and essential community facilities.
These include schools, barangay halls, public markets, hospitals, tourist destinations, and other areas where internet access can provide significant opportunities for the public, he said.
With improved connectivity, beneficiaries can access a broader range of online learning materials, digital platforms, communication channels, and government services, Navarro added.
Additionally, DICT Regional Director Christian Roy Melad highlighted that the success of the program involves more than just installing connectivity equipment.
“We know that installing the equipment is only the first step. The value of this project depends on how we use and take care of it,” Melad said, calling for sustained cooperation among LGUs, DepEd, and schools to ensure that the connection remains reliable, safe, and used for its intended purpose.
The initiative also featured the Provision of Internet Access via Low Earth Orbit Satellites, a space-based technology that allows the DICT to bypass traditional, terrestrial cable challenges and beam high-speed internet directly into Sorsogon’s most geographically isolated and mountainous school campuses.
It is designed to help provide connectivity in public areas and geographically isolated locations where traditional infrastructure can be challenging to establish.
John Nomel Ebuenga, the DICT head for Sorsogon, said that the FPIAP launch is not just about installing routers, it is about building a foundation for sustainable economic growth and digital empowerment.
“By embedding stable internet access directly into the heart of the school communities, the program ensures that the next generation of Sorsoganons is fully equipped to thrive in a highly competitive, global digital economy,” he said. (Mavic L. Aringo contributed to this report/PIA Bicol/Sorsogon)
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