Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV on Wednesday sponsored a measure meant to provide free internet connectivity in public places.
Senate Bill No. 1277, or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, has already passed the committee level and is slated for plenary deliberations.
Aquino, chairperson of the Committees on Education and Science and Technology, said that free internet will be provided in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries.
Under the measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology will be mandated to craft a plan and a timeline for the rollout of the program.
It will also authorize the DICT to streamline the process for the application of permits and certificates for the construction of infrastructure and installation of equipment necessary, in coordination with national government agencies and local government units.
Aquino previously filed Senate Bill No. 1050 which seeks to connect all public educational institutions to the internet to help students enhance their personal and academic development.
“It is imperative that we institutionalize this very important platform—to improve access to quality internet in the Philippines,” Aquino said, noting that only 26 percent of public schools in the country have internet access.
