President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has given the green light to the Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project (PDIP) to enhance internet connectivity in remote areas across the Philippines.
The approval took place during the 18th board meeting of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) at Malacañang.
Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) revealed that the project entails establishing 772 free WiFi sites in Mindanao, focusing on Regions 11 and 13. These sites will primarily cover public schools, state universities, colleges (SUCs), and rural health centers.
Dy emphasized the significance of the project, particularly in Mindanao, where internet penetration rates are notably lower than the national average. He highlighted the potential economic impact, stating that a 10% increase in internet penetration could lead to a 1.38% rise in the gross domestic product.
The PDIP is scheduled to span a decade until 2028, aiming to stimulate local economic growth. It is expected to empower local businesses, including farmers and small stores, by providing access to e-commerce and other services.
In terms of cybersecurity, the project includes measures to safeguard networks from hacking and cyber threats. The 772 free WiFi sites will be closely monitored through a network operation center to ensure security and prevent illicit online activities.
The initiative also involves blocking harmful content such as child pornography and exploitation sites to create a safer online environment for users.
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