'Bayanihan SIM' touted as key to Marcos' educational excellence push
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has rolled out its Bayanihan SIM Card program, one of the agency’s flagship initiatives which focuses on implementing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for a digitally empowered nation.
Henry Rhoel Aguda, the newly appointed DICT secretary, said the program seeks to boost access to learning resources by providing free connectivity to teachers and learners, particularly in far-flung communities.
“This notable step toward digital inclusion and upgrading learning info-structure is set to initially distribute one million SIM cards to beneficiaries in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) across the country.
The project is reportedly part of the agency’s broader strategy to bridge the digital divide and ensure that every Filipino has equal access to digital tools for education and development.
According to DICT undersecretary Paul Joseph Mercado “education is the program’s top priority. With that one million SIM cards, may subscription po. Ang uunahin po na bigyan ay ang mga estudyante at guro kasi ang purpose po nito ay ang acces para sa may kalidad na edukasyon.”
Mercado explained that each SIM card will come with 25GB free internet data per month designed to support remote learning, digital classroom access, and educational content delivery.
The initiative will complement DICT’s larger infrastructure agenda, which includes the installation of additional cellular tower in GIDAs. These towers are critical for ensuring reliable internet connectivity in remote barangays and enabling the SIM cards to function effectively even in hard-to-reach regions.
In coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority, the DICT plans to implement the Bayanihan SIM Program over a a three-year timeline, beginning in the second to the third quarter of 2025.
The agency has reportedly finalized the distribution guidelines, allowing the initiative to proceed smoothly in its initial phases.
Aguda emphasized that the program is not a standalone effort but part of a wider movement known as the Digital Bayanihan, a collective initiative aimed at harnessing technology to improve public services, empower communities, and drive inclusive economic growth.
“This project is a reflection of the Pres. Marcos’ vision and our belief that digital equity is fundamental to national progress,” Aguda said.
He stressed that by prioritizing teachers and students, we are investing directly in the future of the country.”
The Bayanihan SIM Program is expected to benefit public school educators and learners who currently lack regular access to digital tools. By providing connectivity, the DICT hopes to enhance online learning, reduce dropout rates and make digital literacy more widespread — particularly among marginalized communities.
The project also aligns with the Marcos administration’s broader digital agenda, which emphasiaes universal connectivity, digital job creation and public-private colllaboration in building the country’s information and communication technology sector.
As the Bayanihan SIM Program moves toward implementation, the DICT calls on local government units (LGUs), school officials, and civil society organizations to work in concert to ensure its success. The department believes that sustained collaboration will help create a digitally empowered education system that leaves no Filipino learner behind.
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