President Duterte approves National Broadband Program

Duterte has approved the National Broadband Plan proposed by newly-created DICT.

MANILA - The dream of having a national broadband network in the Philippines will soon be a reality after President Rodrigo Duterte gave the go-signal for the National Broadband Plan in the country.

Department of Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol revealed through his Facebook page that Duterte has approved the establishment of a National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang on Monday, March 6.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has proposed to the President a national broadband network that will run across the country, linking previously unserved, rural areas.




DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima previously said that by setting up networks in these so-called "missionary areas," the government hopes to lay the groundwork — so telcos can come in and begin to offer much-needed Internet services to the residents there.

After a presentation made by Salima, the President emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.

During his state of the nation address (SONA) last year, Duterte directed the DICT "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed."

Salima also disclosed that there are already two Chinese companies who approached the government for a possible partnership on the national broadband plan. [Photo credits: MannyPiñol Facebook]