DOST urged to prioritize hospitals, schools in Wi-Fi program

MANILA, Philippines - With the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) about to roll out its free Wi-Fi hotspot program in different parts of the country this July, Sen. Ralph Recto called on the agency to prioritize hospitals, schools, transport hubs and libraries.

Recto, who introduced the amendment to this year’s national budget that led to the increase in the budget of the Free Internet Connectivity in Public Places Project of DOST by P1 billion, said the areas that would be connected should yield the greatest public benefit.

“We would like these Wi-Fi areas to create value, promote education, help trade and travel and be a lifeline to those who are in distress. That’s why I have told the DOST to pilot it in some public hospitals so that those who are sick or those who are taking care of the sick, be they doctors or relatives, will be able to communicate with family members and medical staff,” Recto said.

“If you’re a son of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and you would like to Skype with your father who is in the Middle East because your mom has been stricken ill, then you can do it within the hospital premises,” he added.

The move to include libraries was meant to aid students and teachers in research and instruction while promoting reading. Other priority areas should be frontline government offices, which draw the longest queues and the largest crowds.

Recto said the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency office, for instance, should be included so that the OFWs could enjoy the benefits of being connected, considering their immense contribution to the economy.

Hotspots would also be set up in town halls and town plazas which Recto said could help farmers living nearby to access information about the current market prices of their goods.

Recto also welcomed DOST’s plan to set up free Wi-Fi in airports and seaports “as these would be a big help to tourists and travelers.”

“2015 is Visit Philippines Year. It is also the year we’ll be hosting 15,000 delegates to the APEC Leaders’ Summit and run-up activities. As part of our preparations, we’re sprucing up NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), building flyovers, and repairing our roads. Wi-Fi in gateways should be a part of this,” Recto said.

However, he said that the DOST should find a way to prevent abuse of the service by people who would only be using it for recreational purposes.

According to the DOST, access points in 967 third to sixth class towns and Metro Manila will be set up based on the P1.4-billion budget.

It will also have “points of presence” in six cities in Luzon, four in the Visayas and four in Mindanao.

In all, there will be 9,706 rural links in unserved and underserved areas.