DICT seeks P2-billion budget for National Broadband Project

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is seeking to secure additional budget for the roll-out next year of the National Broadband Project (NBP), a program that seeks to address the country’s poor and costly internet connection.

In a statement, the DICT welcomed the House of Representatives’ support in endorsing the P2-billion proposed budget of the DICT to implement the NBP in 2019.

With major connectivity deals secured this year, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio said the agency would spend the budget on reinforcing and accelerating the operational stage of the NBP, the government’s blueprint in improving the quality and bringing down the cost of internet in the country.

Covered in the proposed budget is the operation of the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure  which links to the fiber optic cables of the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo).

“We are convinced that the NBP can finally get rid of our country’s long standing issue of poor and costly internet connection. The DICT is ready, capable, and determined to spearhead this initiative as proven by our recent actions. We should get our acts together as public servants and not waste any more time,” Rio said.

The DICT considers the NBP as the missing link to boost connectivity within a shorter period as it aims to tap existing ICT infrastructures, saving the government significant time and money while ensuring huge economic return.

Rio said the bigger budget would fasttrack the implementation of the NBP, given that the agency has secured two separate tripartite agreements this year to commence the operation.

Last June, the DICT inked an agreement with TransCo and National Grid Corp. of the Philippines for the utilization of their 6,154-wide dark fiber network, spanning from Luzon to Mindanao.

It also closed a deal with the National Electrification Authority and Philippine Rural Cooperatives Association Inc. three months later in tapping electric cooperatives as partners for middle mile connectivity.    

Another agreement with cable operators is also in line to serve as a viable last mile connectivity in the different parts of the country.

To complement the national broadband and fully maximize its benefits, the establishment and expansion of the National Government Data Center (NGDC) is seen as a vital infrastructure to improve numerous data center services to different government agencies. 

Aside from the data center-related operations, the NGDC houses the government’s cloud computing, web hosting, and server colocation, among others.

“We must pick up from our achievements we’ve had this year, so we are grateful for the support of our representatives. We hope other members of Congress can support the initiative, which is now on its crucial stage,” Rio said.