Budget for free internet program tripled to P7.5 billion

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s flagship program on free internet has gained a major boost, as its funding was tripled to a record budget this year to cover more Filipinos in far-flung towns.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has been allocated P7.5 billion in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to sustain the Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP).

This marked the first time the FPIAP was allotted that much of an amount, as it used to pick up just P2.5 billion every year.

The FPIAP provides free WiFi access in public spaces like government offices and schools. The program seeks to narrow the digital gap across the archipelago, making sure that even areas with limited infrastructure have internet availability.

For 2025, the GAA requires the DICT to put up internet sites in public schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas through the FPIAP. The agency is also tasked to install similar facilities in resettlement areas of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

Further, the GAA placed financial controls on the use of funds for the FPIAP by capping general administration and support services at three percent of the budget.

This means the bulk of the allocation has to be used for the delivery of actual services, which are listed as operational expenses of the DICT.

The GAA mandates the DICT to submit a special budget request and other relevant documents to the Department of Budget and Management for every time it wants to tap into the funds.

Notably, lawmakers were concerned about the DICT’s ability to maximize its budget, and this is part of the reason they were hesitant to increase its funding. In 2022, the agency utilized just 28.3 percent of the budget for FPIAP, but improved its spending to 80.3 percent in 2023.

During the budget hearings, legislators made suggestions on how the DICT can raise utilization for spending efficiency. The agency was told to purchase WiFi cards for beneficiaries in lieu of internet sites yet to be procured and to bid out multi year contracts for the FPIAP.

The DICT will operate with a higher budget in 2025, as President Marcos approved the doubling of its funding to P10.27 billion.

The President is banking on the DICT to lead government efforts in achieving universal access to the internet among Filipinos.