In the Philippines, everybody spends long hours in the net especially now with community quarantine imposed to all during this time of corona virus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Am sure every minute, a Filipino would log in for connectivity.
In simple terms, “connectivity is the quality, state or capability of being connective or connected; especially: the ability to connect to or communicate with another …” the Merriam Webster defines.
And because of Covid-19 protocols that were issued, requires among others for everybody to “Stay At Home”.
WFH (work from home) already was the mode that employers opted so their workers will be protected from the virus.
While they’re at home to work, they need better connectivity for continuity and consistency.
Meetings and conferences among leaders and policy makers including private and government offices do it virtually.
And for those who just need to stay at home and inorder to be entertained would resort to finding entertainment through the net, what with Netflix and YouTube to the rescue to kill boredom.
The education sector, by the way, has resorted to online instruction although there are choices that manual will be done for those areas where connectivity is not available. Also television and radio are being considered for educational instructions. No face-to-face instruction is allowed still.
Although it is not final as yet when to start classes, the opening of school still has two sides at this time whether “to proceed or to defer”.
But even before the pandemic, several organizations were already into advocating connectivity even to the remotest part of our country. The government also has been trying to improve internet access.
There are steps taken by the Department of Information Communication and Technology (DICT) in partnership for instance with the Asia Foundation of the Philippines and the Australian Embassy for its Coalitions for Change(CfC) program. In its earlier report, it said … “Despite 25 years of liberalization and deregulation, and substantial investment in telecommunication infrastructure, for millions of Filipinos, the Internet still is difficult to access”.
However, it also said in 2017, the DICT began allowing smaller internet service providers (ISPs) to bid on, install, and operate the Wi-Fi access points (i.e. VSAT terminals) in public places, rather than relying solely on the duopoly. The ISPs can then ride the government’s Free Wi-Fi network to provide internet services to their other subscribers, separate from the government program. This partnership with smaller players in the private sector will need to be maintained for the Free Wi-Fi program to continue to proliferate and be sustainable.
The report also said that CfC is in the process of developing a baseline study to monitor the progress of Pipol Konek in various provinces. The promise to provide internet access to all Filipinos within reach, even for those in the remotest places.
Related to the connectivity program, I was present when the DICT-UNDP WIFI FOR ALL was launched in Davao City in an interior barangay (Barangay Matina Biao) that was simultaneously held in five key areas in the Philippines with the center of the activity in Manila.
It was witnessed also by school children in the area very excited to get connected without walking several kilometers to the center just to access the wifi in internet cafes during times that they need to do research.
Just like Grade 7 pupil, Thomas Palabrica, who could not wait further to the free wifi together with his classmates.
Grade 7 pupil, Thomas Palabrica with classmates during the launch of Free Wi-fi in their community.
Sharing my story with this …..
Free Wifi Benefits Davao City residents
By Digna Banzon
Davao City – The “Free Wi-Fi for All” project of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was launched Thursday in Brgy. Matina Biao here.
FREE WIFI FOR ALL. Officials unveil the “Free Wi-FI for All” project of the Department of Information and Communication Technology in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme in Barangay Matina Biao, Davao City, on Thursday. The Wi-Fi activation was held simultaneously in five key areas in the country — Albay, Isabela, Lanao del Sur, Palawan, and Davao City, with Quezon City as the main site of the project launching. (PNA photo by Digna D. Banzon)
The Wi-Fi activation was held simultaneously in five key areas – Albay, Isabela, Lanao del Sur, Palawan, and Davao City, with Quezon City as the main site of the project launching.
Mayor Sara Z. Duterte, in a message read by Councilor Mabel Acosta, lauded DICT and UNDP for conceptualizing the program, which is geared at bringing free internet access to the general public.
“This initiative is an attestation of your commitment in carrying out your functions in public service,” Duterte said, adding the program will have a positive impact on the socio-economic development.
She also reminded the residents of Matina Biao to be responsible in using the technology and to take advantage of it to further enrich their knowledge and at the same strengthen families and the people in the community.
Grade 7 pupil Thomas Palabrica, who was among those that witnessed the launching, said it will now be easy for learners like him to do school research and other school-related work.
“What we usually do is go to internet cafes in nearby barangays to do research, but with this free Wi-Fi right in our community it will be of great help for us who are still studying,” he said.
Barangay Captain Hilario Malaki II assured the city government, as well as the DICT and UNDP, to “take good care of the project for the benefit of the children and the youth.”
Alka Aneja of UNDP said internet access has become a necessity in “creating development programs, connecting to project partners and even talking to friends and families across the world.”
Aneja said 45 percent of the population in the country is not yet connected to the internet, creating “a huge gap in terms of human development index.”
“The internet today increases the opportunity for everyone not only for students but for youth seeking jobs and for others to explore new markets, and also it facilitates good governance,” she said.
The DICT-UNDP “Free Wi-Fi for All” project will be made available in 60 other barangays, mostly in remote areas of the city including Paquibato and Marilog, said Davao City Information Technology Center officer-in-charge Chito Mercado.
Mercado said some 62 public schools will also be recipients of the project, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd).
DICT regional director Erlito Tancontian said they are targeting the establishment of 15,000 free Wi-Fi sites in the country this year, with the number increasing by as many as W100,000 by 2022. (PNA)
With media colleague Lovely during the launch of Free Wi-Fi for all early March 2020 in Barangay Matina Biao, Davao City.
In this Covid-19 pandemic and to ensure the safety of Filipinos protocols are imposed continuously with constant reminder for the public to adhere.
Stay safe everybody during this time of Covid-19 pandemic
Let us continue the fight …. we need to STAY SAFE and HEALTHY at HOME as our way of support to our frontliners … we have to do our share to stop the spread of Covid-19 … So Please let us follow the protocols ! …. Soon this will be over ! Never cease Praying ! God bless everyone ….
South Phils Business 