Press Release
May 16, 2020

Gatchalian laments backlog on 'Free Wi-Fi for All' implementation; seeks Senate review

As schools prepare to make distance learning the norm amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry on the implementation of Republic Act No.10929 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act (FIAPPA).

Senate Resolution No. 392 specifically aims to determine the law's implementation coverage and effectivity in elementary and secondary public schools, Alternative Learning System (ALS) centers, state universities and colleges (SUCs), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) technology institutions, and other community learning centers.

As the lead implementing agency of the FIAPPA, which was signed into law in 2017, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has launched the Pipol Konek Project - the Free Wi-Fi Internet Access For All in Public Places for the enhancement of internet accessibility to bolster economic, social, and educational opportunities for Filipinos and bridge the growing digital divide.

The DICT has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to install 6,000 last mile hotspot sites in the country's remotest, unserved, and disadvantaged communities.

However, the DICT has not been meeting its targets. In 2018, the DICT targeted to add 5,308 sites in 1,500 cities. As of April 13, 2020, the list provided in the DICT website says there are only 3,707 live sites for the Free Wi-Fi For All hotspots across the country's public spaces.

"Mahalaga ang papel ng Free Wi-Fi for All lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya kung saan inihahanda natin ang mga paaralan sampu ng mga estudyante at guro pati na lahat ng kawani ng sektor ng edukasyon pagdating ng pasukan. Importanteng natutugunan ng gobyerno ang mga pangangailangang ito upang magpatuloy ang pag-aaral ng mga bata lalo na't hinihikayat na ang online learning sa pagsabak natin sa tinatawag na new normal," said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

According to Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua, only 48 percent or 22,645 of the country's 47,013 public schools have connectivity. There are 16.7 million learners enrolled in these schools.

Gatchalian also noted that during the hearing of the 2019 national budget, the DICT reported that there were only 17 free Wi-Fi hotspots installed in the country's 112 SUCs as of December 2018.

Aside from educational institutions, public places covered under the FIAPPA include government offices, public health institutions and centers, public parks, plazas, libraries, barangay reading centers, public airports, seaports, and transport terminals.

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Nais ni Gatchalian na palawakin pa ang 'Free Wi-Fi for All'

Habang pinaghahandaan ng mga paaralan ang pagbubukas ng klase gamit ang distance learning, naghain si Senador Win Gatchalian ng isang resolusyon upang repasuhin ng Senado ang pagpapatupad sa Republic Act No.10929 o Free Internet Access in Public Places Act (FIAPPA).

Layon ng inihaing Senate Resolution No. 392 na palawakin pa ang saklaw ng pagpapatupad ng naturang batas sa mga pampublikong paaralan, Alternative Learning System o ALS centers, state universities and colleges o SUCs, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at mga community learning centers.

Matapos maisabatas ang FIAPPA noong 2017, inilunsad ng Department of Information and Communications Technology o DICT ang Pipol Konek Project - the Free Wi-Fi Internet Access For All in Public Places upang mas maraming Pilipino ang makagamit ng internet. Inaasahan na sa paglunsad ng proyekto, mas maraming Pilipino ang magkakaroon ng oportunidad na makapag-aral at makapag-hanapbuhay.

Nagkaroon din ng kasunduan sa pagitan ng DICT at ng United Nations Development Programme o UNDP na mag install ng anim na libong (6,000) hotspot sites sa mga malalayo at nangangailangang mga lugar at komunidad sa bansa.

Bigo man ang DICT na maabot ang layuning ito, tinarget ng naturang kagawaran na magdagdag ng mahigit limang libong (5,308) sites sa mahigit isang libong (1,500) lungsod. Pero halos apat na libong (3,707) sites lamang ang na-install ng 'Free Wi-Fi For All' hotspots sa mga pampublikong lugar sa bansa, ayon sa tala ng DICT website noong Abril 13 ng kasalukuyang taon.

"Mahalaga ang papel ng Free Wi-Fi for All lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya kung saan inihahanda natin ang mga paaralan sampu ng mga estudyante at guro pati na lahat ng kawani ng sektor ng edukasyon pagdating ng pasukan. Importanteng natutugunan ng gobyerno ang mga pangangailangang ito upang magpatuloy ang pag-aaral ng mga bata lalo na't hinihikayat na ang online learning sa pagsabak natin sa tinatawag na new normal," ani Gatchalian, Chairman ng Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Ayon kay Department of Education Undersecretary Alain Pascua, halos limampung (48) porsyento lamang o mahigit dalawampu't dalawang libo (22,645) sa mahigit apatnapu't pitong libong (47,013) pampublikong paaralan ang may internet. May mahigit labing anim (16.7) na milyong mag-aaral naman na naka-enroll sa mga paaralang ito.

Noong dinidinig ang 2019 national budget, iniulat ng DICT na meron lamang labing-pitong (17) free Wi-Fi hotspots sa mahigit isang daang (112) SUCs noong Disyembre 2018.

Maliban sa mga paaralan, kabilang sa mga pampublikong lugar na dapat lagyan ng libreng internet ang mga tanggapan ng pamahalaan, mga pampublikong pagamutan, mga parke, plaza, aklatan, barangay reading centers, mga paliparan, mga pantalan, at mga transport terminal.

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