PH FIBER PROJECT UP AND RUNNING THIS H1

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) targets to activate its fiber connectivity project by the first half and roll out more free Wi-Fi sites across the country amid the increasing digitalization of the economy.

DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo, in a Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, said they were ramping up the country’s digital infrastructure through programs and projects set for the year.

Among them is the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure project phase 1, which is slated for completion by June. The 240-kilometer fiber line will link the cable landing stations in Baler, Aurora and Poro Point, La Union.

DICT is also targeting to set up free Wi-Fi sites in 9,762 public spaces and 162 state universities, colleges and Technical Education And Skills Development Authority institutions.

Other initiatives include the construction of two more data centers for the National Government Data Center.

Lamentillo said that the Philippines had met with several countries for knowledge-sharing initiatives and other projects to improve the digital infrastructure and cybersecurity measures. These include the US, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Thailand, Malaysia and Brunei.

“Cyberspace and digitalization are borderless; that’s why it is important for countries to work together to maximize the benefits of the technology and to address challenges that come with digitalization,” she said.

Earlier this month, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology through Minister Jin Zhuanglong to enhance digital cooperation.