The Free Wi-Fi for All – Free Public Internet Access Program is available in 567 active sites in Western Visayas, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

“The Free Wi-Fi for All Program provides free, fast, and secure internet access in public places across the Philippines, such as hospitals, basic education institutions, state universities and colleges, airports and seaports, and terminals, among others,” said DICT Regional Director Ralph Joseph Moncatar during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas.

He said their goal is to sustain all active access points in the provinces, consisting of 125 in Aklan, 13 in Antique, 157 in Capiz, 24 in Guimaras, 210 in Iloilo, and 38 in Negros Occidental.

Moncatar said geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas are prioritized when identifying areas for the installation of internet access.

DICT also targets the installation of the Broadband ng Masa in 450 sites in Antique.

Meanwhile, Moncatar said that DICT is ready to deploy communication facilities or its Mobile Operations Vehicle for Emergency (MOVE) to areas affected by calamities and disasters as part of the Government Emergency Communications System (GECS) project.

“It is an initiative by the DICT designed to ensure reliable communication capabilities during disasters and emergencies. In case of disasters, we deploy our Mobile Operations Vehicle for Emergency,” he said.

MOVE is equipped with a truck hub, a mobile dispatch, a motorcycle, drones, VHF (very high frequency) and HF (high frequency) radios, and Starlink that could provide connectivity in the community during emergencies.

“In areas where there are no signals, MOVE is deployed to provide connectivity. Everyone can connect, including responders and the public, because we can also provide free wi-fi,” he added.

Western Visayas is one of the two regions in Visayas that are recipients of the MOVE sets; the other one is in Tacloban in Eastern Visayas.

DICT also assured that they can tap other regions with MOVE sets for augmentation when needed.PNA