Where’s free internet for MP towns? DOST execs mum

By Andrew Dogaong

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Provincial constituents are asking when the province will soon be provided with free Wi-Fi internet services as promised earlier by top Science and Technology officials.

They didn’t say when, but the DOST officials said the project, "Free Wi-Fi internet access in public places," will be implemented by the government agency through its Information and Communication Technology Office.

DOST national project manager Maria Jillian Panganiban in recent stakeholders’ forum here at Ridgebrook Hotel, said the government’s free Wi-Fi Internet access will prioritize third to sixth class municipalities and provinces nationwide.

Pangilinan said the free Wi-Fi signal will be made available in public facilities such as municipal and barangay halls, plazas, schools, government offices, hospitals and rural health clinics.

DOST-ICTO Assistant Secretary Nicolas Ojeda, Jr., also deputy executive director for cyber security, cited importance of information and communication technology. 

The free Wi-Fi project, he said, would promote grassroots development and opportunities for inclusive growth and poverty reduction. He said  people of Mountain Province could take advantage of the benefits ICT can offer for better life.