Senator Bam Aquino is pushing for the accelerated implementation of a law that provides free internet access in public areas, stating it is crucial for education and opportunity. He emphasized that the full rollout of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act should be a top priority to serve Filipinos who lack affordable connectivity.
At a recent Senate Committee on Science and Technology hearing, Aquino, who chairs the committee, stated that reliable internet is no longer a luxury but a basic necessity for daily life, work, and studies. The law mandates the provision of free Wi-Fi in key locations such as public schools, government offices, hospitals, markets, and transport terminals.
Aquino was a principal sponsor and co-author of the law, officially known as Republic Act 10929, when it was passed in 2017. He explained the law’s intent, saying, “Access to the internet means access to knowledge. It is a tool that can help elevate lives.”
In response, Aquino proposed that telecommunications companies provide discounted bulk internet rates to the Department of Education (DepEd) to help public schools. Representatives from the telecom industry who were present at the hearing expressed openness to offering such discounts.
For its part, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) pledged to connect 11,964 additional public schools in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) to the free internet program before the end of the year.
To ensure the law’s success, Aquino stressed the need for a clear implementation plan, well-defined agency roles, and sufficient government funding. He concluded that proper execution is essential to bring the promised connectivity to all Filipinos.