A Senate resolution noted the DICT has not been meeting its targets. In 2018, the agency targeted to add 5,308 sites in 1,500 cities. But as of April 13, 2020, there are only 3,707 live hotspots across the country's public spaces.
The Covid Action Network, made up of 67 organizations and 38 individuals and youth groups, has sent proposals to the government aimed at expanding Internet coverage and helping ease broadband network rollout.
The DICT said there is a compelling need for LGUs and HOAs to cooperate in addressing the need for connectivity and better quality of ICT services especially in the current Covid-19 pandemic.
One of the agencies with an outdated online infrastructure is SSS, making the state pension firm unable to respond to the requests from members wanting to get financial assistance from the government.
The DICT reported that it has already tested 158 dark fiber segments of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and completed construction of the cable landing stations at Baler Aurora and Poro Point, La Union.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it has reached out to various government institutions to offer one of its core services, the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI).
Tech lawyer Roy Ibay observed, however, that the RapidPass System is only bringing “rapid confusion” to the public since drivers are still questioned by the authorities even if their vehicles already have RapidPass QR codes.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology has directed all management information system (MIS) server operators to utilize the updated version of cryptographic protocols for all government websites.
The business continuity plans, which are expected to be submitted on or before April 17, should contain the measures taken by telcos and ISPs to ensure uninterrupted service and to address the increased demand for ICT services.
The Better Broadband Alliance (BBA) called on the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), through the DICT, to create a national strategy and plan of action to address various issues related to communications and data services.
