MANILA – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has recently activated new “Free Wi-Fi for All” access points in hospitals and schools around Zambales as part of a program to make the province a showcase for connectivity in the “new normal”.

In a statement on Sept. 3, the DICT said a total of 12 operational sites are already built in schools, hospitals, and quarantine facilities in the province.

These include the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba, Masinloc Isolation Facility, Candelaria District Hospital, San Marcelino District Hospital, and Kolehiyo ng Subic, which has been installed with four new access points.

Zambales is home to identified Internet unserved and underserved areas—communities that either lie outside of commercial Internet service coverage or those that lack sufficient ICT infrastructure to support either wired or wireless Internet connectivity—depriving the public of vast opportunities in the digital economy.

DICT Secretary Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II said Zambales will serve as a showcase for the DICT’s information and communications technology (ICT) initiatives beginning with providing improved internet access in the educational sector for online and blended learning.

“Our goal had always been to make Zambales a showcase for ICT initiatives by helping the province meet its connectivity demands for the new normal,” Honasan said.

“The successful deployment of the Internet access points is a result of the cooperation between the DICT Luzon Cluster 2 and the provincial capitol of Zambales, and we are grateful for everyone’s contribution to this initiative,” he added.

Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. is also optimistic about the partnership, saying that the collaboration with the DICT will open up many opportunities for the province of Zambales.

The rollout of Internet access sites is very timely for the province, given the increased need for Internet connectivity in the education sector for the transition to blended or remote learning in the upcoming opening of classes.

The DICT is continuously facilitating the installation of Internet hotspots in public elementary and high schools and SUCs, including the provision of technical assistance whenever necessary, in various areas across the country in line with the resumption of school activities.

The DICT, with its Free Wi-Fi for All Program, continues to set up free Internet sites in public places around the country, with a significant number of sites established in designated quarantine facilities, government hospitals, rural health units in order to aid efforts in the province’s COVID-19 response.

As of August 19, the DICT has established a total of 4,758 access points nationwide, with 12 operational sites in the province of Zambales. ~