In its proposal, the DICT allotted P22.1 billion -- the biggest chunk of its proposed budget -- for its digital connectivity and access programs. Meanwhile, P1.05 billion will be spent on cybersecurity.
The highly touted common tower policy of the government appears to be going nowhere as local operator Globe Telecom announced on Thursday, July 9, that it is putting up its own cell sites in different parts of the country this year.
The DICT announced on Tuesday, July 7, the activation of a microsite under the Gov.PH domain (wfh.gov.ph) to provide government employees a host of remote work tools, tips, and other learning materials for their telecommuting needs.
The DepEd said that while it is working to improve access of learners and schools to the Internet, online learning is only one option from the menu of learning delivery modalities to be used in the upcoming school year.
Dito Telecommunity admitted, however, that the pandemic caused a number of key infrastructure delays just as they were approaching the peak of their rollout.
The initiative, which continues the legacy of Next Wave Cities, aims to drive inclusive growth in the countryside by selecting high-potential areas throughout the country and transforming them into bustling IT and BPO hubs within five years.
Even as the DICT is eyeing to reduce the permits for common tower this year, Globe said it will build more cell sites of its own in different parts of the country in the next three months.
Sen. Grace Poe said concerned government units are mandated to process and approve permits and clearances for the construction of infrastructures including cell sites within the maximum period of seven working days.
Sen. Imee Marcos has decried what she said is the government's seeming lack of urgency in improving the slow Internet speed in the country amid a global shift to digital solutions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
