Driving digital inclusion
Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry R. Aguda said the project will roll out more than 1,000 kilometers of high-speed, government-owned fiber optic cables linking key Mindanao cities — Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Zamboanga, and Davao.
“For so long, fast internet seemed to be available only in big cities,” Aguda said. “Now, we have a clear directive from the President: improve the connection, starting in the provinces.”
Initially serving government offices, state universities, LGUs, and hospitals, the network will eventually extend to every barangay. Aguda said the effort will ensure “digital equity, digital justice, and digital empowerment,” while positioning Butuan as the “digital gateway of Mindanao” and a hub for data centers, tech hubs, and rural BPOs.
World Bank partnership
World Bank Group task team leader Jennifer Gui called the project a milestone in the Philippines’ push for inclusive, climate-resilient connectivity. “This initiative will open doors to education, health care, government services, and economic opportunities, especially in remote areas,” she said.
Approved in June 2024, the PDIP is the first Philippine digital infrastructure program supported by the World Bank. It will also extend the NFB into Visayas and Mindanao, expand the Free Wi-Fi for All program in Regions XI and XII, and strengthen national cybersecurity.
Impact on connectivity
The rollout is expected to connect 772 previously unserved public beneficiaries and cut the digital divide in Regions XI and XIII from 28 percent to 20 percent. It includes activating National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) dark fibers and installing active equipment along existing submarine cables.
Aguda urged communities to protect the infrastructure. “Watch over the fiber lines. Do not allow them to be damaged or stolen. This is your project. This is your future.”
Next steps
With procurement and mobilization now underway, DICT officials pledged swift implementation. “This is the beginning of real digital change,” Aguda said. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
