MANILA, Philippines – Pinangungunahan ng Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) ang pagpapatupad sa kautusan ng Pangulo na magtulungan ang gobyerno at pribadong sektor sa pagpapalawak ng broadband connectivity sa bansa.
“Internet links which require no lease obligation, like setup fees and rental payment, will be a key factor in all efforts to expand connectivity even in the remotest area in the country,” wika ni DICT spokesman Renato Paraiso.
Ayon kay Paraiso, nagsasagawa na ang DICT ng inisyatiba para makatulong sa pagpapabilis ng pagpapatupad ng batas na magkakaloob ng lease-free WiFi connectvity.
“We will coordinate with both the telco providers and legislators in pursuing efforts that would resolve issues that impede the expansion of broadband connectivity,” ani Paraiso.
“There are House measures seeking for a lease-free setup of WiFi connection. DICT is fully committed to support their immediate passage in the Senate,” dagdag pa niya.
Ang tinutukoy ni Paraiso ay ang House bills 900 at 8534, na inakda nina Reps. Christian Yap at Joey Salceda, ayon sa pagkakasunod, na naglalayong amyendahan ang National Building Code at ipatupad ang no-fee setup ng internet link tulad sa instalasyon ng water at electricity supply.
“One of our mandates is the upgrade and expansion of internet services in the country. For this purpose, DICT is conducting series of dialogues with telco providers to help them secure proper coordination with realty owners for the broadband connectivity,” pagbibigay-diin ni Paraiso.
Mahigit 600 real property at building owners na ang pumayag na gamitin ng telco companies ang kanilang mga pasilidad nang libre, nagbibigay-diin sa bentahe ng pagpapaupa sa mga espasyo na may malakas na wifi connection bilang kanilang marketing teaser.
Sinabi ni Paraiso na ang internet connection ay isa na ngayong “basic human right”, kaya patuloy ang DICT sa paglalagay ng “Free WiFi for All” sites upang bigyan ng internet access ang mga Pilipino.