00:00A faster internet connection, that's what the Filipinos are hoping for in the new project
00:05laid out by the Department of Information and Communications Technology or DICT.
00:10The details in the words of BN Manalo.
00:14President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project
00:21presented by the Department of Information and Communications Technology
00:26in the NEDA board meeting held yesterday.
00:29The Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project aims to strengthen broadband connectivity
00:34across the country, particularly in remote areas.
00:38It also aims to strengthen the cyber security of the Philippines.
00:42This is the largest and first digital infrastructure in the country
00:47funded by US$288 million from the World Bank.
00:53We hope to start procurement by early next year.
00:57It's progressive, but we should be able to complete by 2028, including the fiber backbone.
01:04The entire project is a 10-year project.
01:07So progressively, from 2025 to 2035, the entire free Wi-Fi sites that we will be building
01:16will be sustainable.
01:17This is what is expected to be completed in the National Fiber Backbone Project of the government.
01:23As of April, President Marcos Jr. launched the first phase of the Fiber Backbone
01:30from Baleras, Aurora, which extended to Lawag City in Ilocos Norte,
01:35returning to Metro Manila.
01:37And this year, the second phase is expected to be completed,
01:41which will connect to Metro Manila to Southern Luzon.
01:45The priority of the development program is to build 700 free Wi-Fi sites
01:51that are a priority for public schools, universities, and colleges, and rural health units.
01:58What I would say is that we're significantly better now.
02:01Okay, we're significantly better now.
02:04Our detection mechanisms are there.
02:06Our protective systems are there.
02:08We're also sharing with them how we found out certain tactics, techniques, and procedures
02:12being employed by hackers of international origin.
02:17Based on the study of DICT,
02:19with every 10% increase in the internet connectivity rate,
02:24this will result in an estimated 1.38% increase in gross domestic product.
02:30According to the agency,
02:32more than 80 million Filipinos have access to the internet today.
02:36But the internet connectivity rate in Mindanao is 17% lower.
02:43That's why the importance of strengthening the internet connectivity in the entire region is also being emphasized.
02:49This will lower the internet bill.
02:51The internet speed in the country will also increase.
02:55The National Fiber Backbone Project is expected to be completed in 2028,
03:00where 5 to 6 million Filipinos will benefit from this.
03:06BN Manalo for Pambansang TV in the new Philippines.
