DICT to release IRR of Free Internet in Public Places law next week

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is set to release the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act next week to ensure the full implementation of the Free Internet Access Program.

DICT Undersecretary Mon Ibrahim told GMA News' Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday that the implementing guidelines for the Republic Act 10929 will be released sometime next week.

"Napag usapan na po namin na ilabas na ang implementing rules ng Batas 10929 para maipatupad na po tio... Ilalabas namin next week," Ibrahim said.

He said the RA 10929 institutionalized the DICT's Free Internet Access Program in Public Places.

"With the institutionalization of this project under this new law ay tuluy-tuloy na po ito at matugunan na natin ang pangangailangan lalong lalo na sa countryside, kailangan ng ating kababayan ng broadband connectivity," he said.

Under the law, the DICT targets to connect to the internet around 13,000 areas in the country this year.

The coverage of the program includes national and local government agencies; public schools; state universities and colleges and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) technology institutions; public hospitals, health centers, and rural health units; public parks, plazas, libraries, and barangay reading centers; public airports, and seaports; and public transport terminals.

"The IRR will involved not just itong mga proyektong na pangungunahan ng aming DICT but also involve specifying the rule of the community, the role of civil society, and other agencies in the proper implementation ng batas na ito," Ibrahim said.

In August 2017, President Rodrigo Duteret signed into law RA 10929. The DICT acts as the lead implementing agency and may partner with the private sector to implement the free Internet access for public places program. — Ted Cordero/MDM, GMA News