Latest news with #DepartmentofInformationandCommunicationsTechnology
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos vows to continue providing internet connection in far-flung schools
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. vowed Thursday to continue the program ensuring internet connectivity among schools across the country, particularly those situated in far-flung and isolated areas. Marcos said this during his virtual interaction with teachers and students from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and remote schools. This happened during his visit to Flora Ylagan High School in Quezon City, together with Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda. ''Kailangan connected lalong-lalo na mga school. At kaya't mabuti nagkakaroon ng... dumadami na 'yung mga school natin na connected na. Kaya't ipagpapatuloy natin 'yung programang 'yan,'' Marcos said. (It's important that the schools are connected. The number of schools, which have internet connection, is increasing. We will continue that.) The initiative is reinforced by DICT's ongoing programs such as JuanSIM ng Bayan, the Free Public Internet Access Program, and its broader Digitalization agenda. On the other hand, the Department of Education is investing in infrastructure and digital tools to complement the connectivity drive. The following schools are among the first beneficiaries of the satellite-based internet under the joint efforts of the DICT and the DepEd: Tangalagan National High School in Apayao (CAR) Chanarian Elementary School in Batanes (Region II) Tibagan Elementary School in Bulacan (Region III) Caigdal National High School in Quezon (Region IV-A) Duyay Elementary School in Marinduque (Region IV-B) Lipata Integrated School in Bicol (Region V) Salamanca National High School in Cebu (Region VII) Nalil Elementary School in Tawi-Tawi (Region IX) Dalingap Elementary School in Misamis Occidental (Region X) Cabawa Elementary School in Surigao del Norte (Region XIII) In their virtual interaction with the President, the teachers expressed gratitude to the administration over the assistance that they are getting from the government. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT wants internet service costs down by as much as 50%
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is looking to bring down internet service provider (ISP) costs by as much as 50%, with the expected increase in competition and facility sharing. According to DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, the agency is looking to make internet in the country more affordable, as it targets to bring down ISP costs by 30% to 50%. 'Over time po 'yan (This will be over time). As technology becomes more advanced, the price per megabyte drops. As competition increases and as telcos become more efficient, the price will really drop,' he said during the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Infrastructure Forum in Makati City. Aguda said competition is expected to increase with the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which has been ratified by both chambers of Congress and is now awaiting the President's signature. 'That's one, kasi darating na 'yung mga (because of the arrival of the) third-party providers that go straight to internet services, but we will harmonize it with the current telcos ngayon,' he said. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), a move that removes key filters historically used to evaluate legal, financial, technical, and cybersecurity readiness. Sought for the timeline for the cost reduction, Aguda said that this should come before the end of the administration's term in 2028. 'Before pa dapat yan. Mahirap kasing i-pin it down. You need to mix the price together with the free services that they provide. Confident ako 'yung mga telco magco-compete na eh, so malamang bababa 'yan,' he said. (It should be before (2028). It is quite difficult to pin down. You need to mix the price together with the free services that they provide. I am confident that the telcos will compete, so this will come down.) Moving forward, Aguda said the DICT also targets to increase the government's free wifi access points to 50,000 in 2028 from 15,717 in 2024. 'We are not building just fiber or satellites. We're building a more just, informed, and inclusive republic,' he said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
07-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT targets to create 8M digital jobs by 2028
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) aims to generate 8 million digital jobs in the next three years. On Saturday, the DICT said it had launched the ''Trabahong Digital'' program, which seeks to expand internet connectivity across the country and equip Filipinos with digital skills. 'Driving the digital-first economy will maximize job opportunities and business growth through digital skills empowerment and by providing our people with the tools they need to succeed,' DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said. The DICT expressed confidence in achieving its job creation target by 2028, with the help of active partnerships with the government, academic institutions, and the private sector. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
04-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT integrating NCAP into eGovPH
The Department of Information and Communications Technology is in the process of integrating the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) into the government's one-stop mobile application, eGovPH. During a Palace press briefing, DICT Undersecretary David Almirol Jr. said they already met with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority regarding the matter. ''So, ito pong mga bagong feature po na ini-integrate natin that we're working closely tulad po sa NCAP po – nag-meeting na po kami sa MMDA so mari-receive na po iyong mga penalties mo doon sa eGov app 'no,'' Almirol said. (So the new features we are integrating, we're working closely including this NCAP... we met with MMDA so you may receive your penalties in the eGov app.) ''So, 'pag natapos po iyong integration, ang ganda po nito kasi makikita mo na doon kung ilan na po iyong violation mo at kahit nasa bahay ka na rin, puwede mong i-settle na rin iyong penalty mo 'no,'' he added. (Once we're finished with the integration, the public will be able to see on the app the violations they have committed and they can settle the penalties even if they are at home.) The eGovPH is a single platform where the public can access their digital government IDs and conduct transactions with the government. The NCAP uses closed-circuit television, digital cameras, and/or other gadgets or technology to capture videos and images of vehicles violating traffic laws. Under the policy, violators can pay fines online or at the MMDA office. They can also contest their supposed violations caught under the NCAP. The NCAP was resumed after the Supreme Court partially lifted the temporary restraining order against the policy, allowing only the MMDA to implement it. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
02-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT backs zero fees for electronic fund transfers for personal, MSME payments
'We believe this is a significant step in creating a more inclusive and efficient digital financial ecosystem in the Philippines, The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has expressed support for the proposal of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to waive fees on electronic fund transfers for personal transactions and payments to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). According to a statement, DICT Assistant Secretary Celine Melanie Dee sent BSP Governor Eli Remolona, Jr., a position paper which said implementing zero fees for such transactions would result in higher earnings for gig workers, undeducted remittances for families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and accelerated growth of the e-commerce industry. 'We believe this is a significant step in creating a more inclusive and efficient digital financial ecosystem in the Philippines," Dee said. "Digital payments play a critical role in the development of various sectors. Given this, we believe this policy will provide significant benefits for the e-commerce industry, the gig economy, remittance payments, the daily transactions of millions of Filipinos, and micro-merchants,' she added. The DICT said the zero-fee policy would encourage the use of digital payments and online platforms. Without additional charges, more Filipinos—including small business owners and workers in the informal sector—can afford to participate in digital commerce. 'The DICT remains fully committed to supporting the BSP's goal of fostering inclusive digital economic development and stands ready to assist in the implementation of this important policy,' Dee said. –NB, GMA Integrated News
