BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Information and Communication Technology provides online connectivity to 43 government entities in this city under its Regional GovNet (Government Network) Internet projects DICT Regional GovNet Infrastructure Project manager Alona Isidro, during the regional launching of the Baguio GovNet at Crown Legacy last week said the DICT internet connectivity uses Fiber Optics Cable (FOC) technology. He disclosed that the FOC cables are already finished and the next step is to test the connectivity of the beneficiary agencies.
The Regional GovNet will eventually feature frontline services and important programs especially of key government agencies.
Isidro shared that under the Regional GovNet – Phase 1, similar projects were also implemented in the National Capital Region, San Fernando City, Pampanga, Iloilo City, Tuguegarao, Butuan City, Legaspi City and Palo, Leyte.
Under the Regional Gov Net Phase 1, about 500 government agencies benefitted with FOC internet connections. With the Phase II project, they hope to provide internet connectivity to 1,000 agencies within this year, she added.
Isidro explained that DICT Internet projects do not compete with private telecommunications companies. Rather, it aims to complement it which is why they are prioritizing the countryside and the un-served or underserved.
Eventually, this regional GovNet will be integrated to the National Broadband Plan that DICT will implement, Isidro added.
DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, in his video message during the regional launching, shared that President Rodrigo Duterte has just approved the national Broadband Plan that involves the setting – up of a telecommunication network that will run from the northern to the southern parts of country so that even those in the countryside will have internet connectivity.
This aims for the government to have one digitized, interconnected and interactive network with a common database for important government services and decisions that is accessible to the people anywhere, Salalima stressed. /JDP/CCD-PIA CAR#
