MANILA, Philippines – Inanunsyo ng World Bank nitong Biyernes, Oktubre 11 na inaprubahan nito ang multi-million dollar loan para pondohan ang
flagship infrastructure project ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas na layong mapabuti ang broadband connectivity sa buong bansa.
Sa pahayag, inanunsyo ng World Bank na inaprubahan ng Board of Executive Directors ang $287.24 milyon na pondo para sa Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project (PDIP).
Inaprubahan ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board ang P16.1-billion PDIP noong Hunyo.
Ang proyekto ay inisyatibo ng Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), sangkot ang konstruksyon ng public broadband infrastructure network.
Binubuo ang network na ito ng limang major components, ang backbone network, middle-mile network, access network (last-mile), network security, at project management support.
Sinabi ng World Bank na mahigit 20 milyong Filipino ang makikinabang mula sa mas magandang internet connectivity sa pamamagitan ng PDIP.
“A robust broadband connectivity infrastructure is not just a technological necessity; it’s an essential cornerstone for the Philippines to boost growth and attain its goal of becoming an upper middle-income country in the next couple of years,” ani Manuela Ferro, World Bank vice president for East Asia and Pacific.
“Bringing greater internet access to the grassroots can bridge the digital divide, empower communities, and unlock the full potential of the digital economy,” dagdag ni Ferro.
Sinabi ng World Bank na kukumpletuhin ng PDIP ang nalalabing bahagi ng national fiber backbone—na magkokonekta sa dalawang main international landing stations sa Baler (Luzon) at Davao City (Mindanao).
Ang national fiber optic backbone ay tumutukoy sa network ng high-capacity fiber optic cables na nagkokonekta ng iba’t ibang rehiyon ng bansa.
Nagsisilbi itong principal data highway para sa
intra-country communications, na nagdadala ng malaking halaga ng data sa mabilis na speed.
“Improved internet access will help all Filipinos, especially those in remote areas of Mindanao, gain better education, healthcare, social protection, and government services,” ani Zafer Mustafaoglu, World Bank country director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. RNT/JGC