Free Wi-Fi can now be accessed at all Bicol LGUs

By Marlon Atun

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has connected all local government units (LGUs) across the Bicol region to its Free Wi-Fi for All program, bringing digital access even to the most remote areas of the Bicol region.

According to Odine Raphael Areola, Free Wi-Fi for All Project focal person of DICT Region V, over 2,500 free Wi-Fi sites have been deployed in 873 key locations, ensuring that all provincial, city, and municipal governments—comprising more than 1,000 barangays—are now digitally connected.

Bicol has 3, 471 barangays.

These installations include 617 fiber optic connections, 250 Starlink units for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), and numerous LTE routers, which serve far-flung barangays where fiber connectivity is not yet feasible.

DICT aims to expand further, targeting an additional 1,500 new free Wi-Fi sites throughout the region by 2026.

“This is the realization of the current administration’s Bagong Pilipinas: Bayang Digital program which aims to bring better opportunities to every Bicolano,” said Areola.

The Free Wi-Fi service is available in public places such as schools, town plazas, health centers, and government buildings, providing communities with vital access to online education, services, and information.

Beyond connectivity, DICT Bicol is actively promoting digital literacy.

John Peñaflor, cybersecurity project focal of the DICT Bicol regional office, emphasized that the agency regularly conducts free training programs—both online and in-person—on cybersecurity, safe online practices, and digital skills.

In 2024, DICT conducted 104 digital skills training sessions across the region. As of May 2025, 42 more training sessions have already been held, reflecting the agency’s continuing commitment to community empowerment in the digital age.

Cyryl Montales, a planning officer at the DICT Bicol regional office, emphasized that the initiative aligns with the vision of DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda to create eight million digital opportunities by 2028 through the Trabahong Digital para sa mga Pilipino program.

Monthly training sessions are held at DICT’s regional offices, accommodating 15 in-person participants and up to 500 online participants per session, she said.

Promoting E-Governance

The DICT is also encouraging the public to download and use the eGovPH mobile application, a comprehensive app designed to streamline online transactions with government agencies. The app provides services such as job searches, access to public records, business permit renewals, and locating tourist destinations and government offices.

As of June 2025, the app has been downloaded 386,954 times across the region, with Camarines Sur leading at 137,256 downloads. Albay follows with 98,095 downloads, Sorsogon has 47,609, Camarines Norte has 45,676, Masbate has 39,711, and Catanduanes has 18,607.

In support of e-governance, the DICT is also encouraging all local government units (LGUs) in Bicol to adopt its eLGU application. This initiative aims to provide faster and more efficient public services, such as the online issuance of birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as community tax certificates (cedulas).

As of this writing, 70 out of 114 LGUs in the region are already utilizing the eLGU platform.

Areola said the DICT Bicol reaffirms its commitment to bridging the digital divide in the region by ensuring connectivity, promoting digital literacy, and facilitating more efficient government transactions for all Bicolanos. (PIA Bicol)

DICT 5 conducts a continuing digital literacy program for the community, with the objectives of educating the public on the responsible use of social media, empowering the community with employability skills using modern communication technology platforms, and promoting virtual job opportunities for every Filipino. (Photo credits: DICT Bicol)