Romualdez backs DICT proposal on 100% public school internet connectivity

House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez on August 22 affirmed his full support in funding the Department of Information and Communication Technology’s (DICT) initiative to achieve 100 percent Internet Connectivity for all public schools in the country by the end of the year. 

Romualdez made the remarks after DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda reported that 78 percent of public schools already have internet access, leaving around only 12,000 public schools residing mostly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas with no internet connectivity. 

He highlighted the significance of having internet connectivity in all public schools in undermining the digital gap and transforming the education sector as envisioned by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. 

“This is how our people’s taxes should be used for the benefit of our learners—so that they may become competent, skilled, and competitive, and eventually be gainfully employed in fulfilling livelihoods to help them lift their families out of poverty,” the house speaker said. 

In Aguda’s speech before the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Makati City on August 20, Aguda emphasized that the government is setting their focus in expanding the coverage of the newly- launched National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project which vows to service around 17 million Filipinos. 

Romualdez also underlined that the initiative goes beyond technology, aligned with the President’s vision of a digital and inclusive Philippines where connectivity translates to quality and accessible education, enhanced public service, and expanded economic possibilities. 

“By connecting all public schools, we are laying the foundation for a more inclusive digital economy. This will empower our students with the tools and skills they need to thrive in a future where technology drives growth and progress,” he said in a statement.

He also cited the government’s ongoing efforts, as highlighted in President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address, to enhance Internet access through the expansion of the NFB project, installation of addition free Wi-Fi hotspots, the distribution of SIM cards with free data to remote schools, and also the construction of more cell sites. 

“As we deliberate and craft the proposed P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026, we will carefully scrutinize how past funds for Internet connectivity were spent to ensure that relevant government agencies are able to fully utilize their budget to bring Internet access to our countrymen,” he said.

Under the agency’s proposed funding, five billion pesos will be allocated for the procurement of the Free Public Internet Access Program which has activated 18,849 sites across the country and is set to fund backbone, middle mile, and last mile ICT infrastructure.

The program will also finance the construction of towers, data centers, and other digital infrastructure, with funding sourced from the Spectrum User Fee collected by the National Telecommunications Commission. 

To complement the push for digital transformation in the country’s schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) was also allocated P16.5 billion for its computerization Program for 2026. 

“We in the House of Representatives are fully behind the Marcos administration’s goal of a fully online Philippines and the digitalization of our bureaucracy—and this includes encompassing fast Internet access for our students,” Romualdez stressed.

He also urged telecommunications companies to continuously collaborate to support the government’s effort in boosting Internet access and strengthening coverage in remote areas across the country. 

“This is the much-needed convergence—not just a whole-of-government approach, but a collaboration with the private sector in improving Internet connectivity for our learners who are also doing their best in their studies so that they can achieve their dreams,” the house speaker ended.

It can be recounted that various initiatives have been undertaken to improve internet access  such as the National Fiber Backbone project, which was launched on April 19 and advanced to Phase 2 and 3 of its procurement on July 7. 

The project aims to expand bandwidth and connectivity for provinces and government offices, including public schools in geographically isolated and highly disadvantaged areas.