MANILA, Philippines – Sapat lamang ang P2.5-bilyong alokasyon para sa Free Wi-Fi For All program ng Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) sa P7.8 bilyong proposed 2025 budget, para mapatakbo ito sa loob ng limang buwan, sinabi ni DICT Secretary Ivan Uy nitong Huwebes, Agosto 29.
“The budget allocation of the free Wi-Fi program amounting to P2.5 billion can sustain the 13,462 free Wi-Fi live access point sites in public places covering subscriptions for a period of five months,” ani Uy sa deliberasyon ng House appropriations panel sa deliberasyon sa proposed budget ng DICT para sa susunod na taon.
“Hence, to expand our reach and maintain existing sites, the DICT is in dire need of additional funding,” pagbabahagi ni Uy sa mga mambabatas.
“By funding our initiatives, we can ensure that the Philippines remains at the forefront of technological advancement, driving economic growth, and improving the quality of life of every Filipino.”
Pinuna naman ni House Deputy Minority Leader Bernadette Herrera ng Bagong Henerasyon party-list ang maliit na badyet para sa programa at tinanong kung nangangahulugan ba itong walang libreng Wi-Fi sa mga pampublikong lugar sa nalalabing buwan ng 2025.
“It’s good for four to five months,” tugon ni Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy.
“The P3.6 billion this year is enough so that we can maintain it until the end of the year, plus approximately a few more months, like two more months of 2025. Without the additional, putol po [we’ll be disconnected].”
[But] because it is a law…we will try to find [ways],” dagdag pa niya.
Dahil dito, tinanong ni Herrera kung nangangahulugan ba itong tataas ang bilyon-bilyong unpaid dues ng DICT sa telecommunication companies.
“”Something like that, Your Honor,” ani Dy.
Nanawagan naman si Herrera sa mga kasamahan na suportahan ang panawagan ng DICT para sa karagdagang badyet sa pagsasabing ito ay naaayon sa Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, na nagsasabing ang Free Public Internet Access Fund (FPIAF) sa ilalim ng pangangasiwa ng DICT “shall be funded out of the spectrum users’ fees collected by the NTC and other sources to be identified by the Department of Budget and Management.” RNT/JGC
