Pres. Duterte To Create P200 Billion National Broadband Network Soon To Deliver High-Speed Internet In PH

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the creation of national broadband network during a Cabinet meeting on Monday, March 6, according to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

“President Rody Duterte has approved the establishment of a National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today,” Sec. Piñol said in a statement.

After a presentation made by Information and Communications Technology Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, President Duterte stressed the need for faster communications in the country, added Sec. Piñol.

The plan aims to deliver high-speed internet services to far-flung communities, which are unreached by telecommunication companies.

“President Duterte earlier said he would like DICT to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optic(s) cables and wireless technologies to improve Internet speed,” Sec. Piñol said.

President Duterte, in his inaugural speech delivered in July 25, 2016, ordered the Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate deployment of fiber optics in the country.

The DICT earlier said the national broadband program would “ensure affordable access to every community and improve broadband connectivity.”

“The national broadband plan would ensure that an implementable set of strategies and actions, to achieve a set of indicators on universal Internet access to give everyone the chance to reap the advantages of high speed Internet,” the DICT said in a statement.

The DICT said the proposed national broadband program would cost around P77 billion to almost P200 billion.

Source: Sunstar PH