The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released ₱3 billion to expand free internet access for students and teachers, particularly in “last mile” schools and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) across the country.
Half of the fund—₱1.5 billion—will go to the Department of Education (DepEd) for its Connectivity Enhancement Program for E-Learning, which seeks to provide access to online learning materials and digital tools even in remote barangays.
The remaining ₱1.5 billion will support the Free Public Internet Access Program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman emphasized that the initiative aims to make digital learning accessible to all Filipino learners, regardless of location.
“Dati, hamon para sa mga paaralan sa malalayong lugar ang mahina o walang internet signal. Ngayon, ginagawa nating realidad ang konektividad sa buong bansa,” Pangandaman said.
“Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, makikinabang ang mga mag-aaral at guro—lalo na sa malalayong lugar—sa maaasahang digital access. Walang Filipino learner na maiiwan sa digital education.”
She added that once fully implemented, the program will eliminate the need for teachers and students in far-flung areas to travel long distances just to access Wi-Fi.
“Kapag ganap na naipatupad ang libreng internet sa last mile schools at malalayong lugar, hindi na kailangang gumastos o bumiyahe ng malayo ang ating mga mag-aaral at guro para sa Wi-Fi. Nais nating magkaroon ng pantay na access sa kalidad na edukasyon ang bawat batang Filipino—sa lungsod man o sa pinakamalayong isla,” she said.
The program aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s goal of achieving 100% internet connectivity in all schools nationwide before the end of the year.