DICT urged: Speed up free Wi-Fi in SUCs

Only two out of the country’s state universities and colleges have free Wi-Fi despite Congress’ allocation of P280 million for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to implement free internet connectivity for SUCs, Sen. Sonny Angara said yesterday.

Angara, who sponsored the DICT’s budget for this year, prodded the agency to fast-track the implementation of the free Wi-Fi project in all SUCs.

Based on the data from the DICT, as of July this year, only two of the 112 SUCs have been provided with free internet connectivity under the department’s Pipol Konek! Free Wi-Fi Project.

The two SUCs with free WiFi are Aklan State University and Caraga State University.

Angara noted that P327 million has been allocated to install Wi-Fi in all SUCs in the country this year.

“We’re dismayed by the very slow pace of putting up free WiFi for our students. The internet keeps us connected with our family and friends. And this is very helpful for students who are far from their families,” the senator said.

Under the proposed P3.757 trillion budget for 2019, P280 million is allotted for the continuation of the free Wi-Fi in SUCs project.

Angara said he is expecting acting DICT Secretary Eliseo Rio to explain before the Senate finance committee the cause of delay, and the steps being undertaken to fast-track its implementation.

“Ensuring free internet connectivity in SUCs can help the students with their research, school assignments and projects. If Wi-Fi is free, they can save money,” he said.

The Pipol Konek! Free Wi-Fi Project has a total budget of P1.7 billion for this year, which includes P327 million for SUCs and P1.36 billion for free Wi-Fi in public places.

However, as of June this year, the DICT revealed that it has only utilized 10 percent of the budget for the project.

In a 2017 Commission on Audit report, the project achieved a “very low performance rate.”