Internet access no longer a privilege but a necessity — Marcos

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. emphasized Monday that having a reliable internet access is no longer a privilege but a necessity. 

Marcos said this during the grand launch of the National Fiber Backbone Phases 2 and 3 in Leyte province. 

''Dahil sa panahon ngayon, hindi na privilege ang pagkakaroon ng access sa mabilis na internet, ito ay pangangailangan na. Kailangan ito sa pagaaral, sa trabaho, sa negosyo at para mapanatili ang koneksyon sa mga mahal sa buhay," Marcos said in his speech. 

(At this time, having a fast internet access is not a privilege but a necessity. This is needed in studies, work, business and in maintaining connections with our loved ones.) 

Last month, the President vowed to provide efficient internet connectivity among schools across the country, particularly those situated in far-flung and isolated areas. 

The National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project seeks to create a robust and secure fiber optic network spanning the entire country. 

Serving as backbone for enhance internet connectivity, it is aiming for a faster, more reliable, and fully digitalized services for all Filipinos. 

The Department of Information and Communications Technology is ready to significantly expand NFB’s reach from Northern Luzon to several parts of Visayas and Mindanao through NFB Phases 2 and 3.

In a statement, DICT said phases 2 and 3 will provide faster internet connectivity in the Cagayan Region, CALABARZON, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and some areas in Mindanao, such as Cagayan de Oro and Davao City.

“Over 1,000 additional government offices and more than 1.4 million Filipinos will benefit from this rollout,” DICT said.

During the NFB Phase 2 and 3 launch, a free public Wi-Fi site was also activated at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, which is powered by the NFB node. — Anna Felicia Bajo and Mariel Celine Serquiña/RSJ/RF, GMA Integrated News