Despite being signed into law in 2017, the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act (RA 10929) remains largely under-implemented, with thousands of public schools still lacking access to free, reliable internet. This persistent connectivity gap is now being flagged as a major roadblock to the country’s progress in both education and the economy.
Senator Bam Aquino, co-author of the law, is calling on the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to accelerate its rollout, stressing that internet access should no longer be treated as a privilege. He pointed out that only 2,872 of the country’s 58,121 public schools are currently connected to the government’s Free Wi-Fi program—leaving the vast majority reliant on expensive private providers. Students in far-flung areas are especially impacted, as digital learning and access to government services increasingly require stable internet.
Aquino emphasized the urgent need to expand connectivity in schools, colleges, and underserved communities. He said the internet has become a basic necessity for education, job opportunities, public safety, and even disaster preparedness.
“Internet connection is vital to our lives… it is used to find a job, build a business, transact with the government, and now, during the rainy season, to stay safe from disaster,” he said during a recent Senate session.
The lawmaker urged the DICT to secure sufficient funding to build and maintain free Wi-Fi sites nationwide, particularly in public learning institutions. He also called for a clear and detailed master plan that outlines how and when the program will be fully implemented, complete with timelines and measurable targets. He stressed the need to focus the rollout on critical institutions such as hospitals, government offices, transport terminals, and areas where private services are unavailable or unaffordable, especially in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
In a committee hearing, he proposed that the DICT negotiate bulk internet deals with telecommunications providers to significantly reduce subscription costs for public schools. Telcos responded positively, expressing willingness to offer discounted rates to the Department of Education (DepEd)—a move that could drastically cut government spending.
The DICT, which operates the Free Wi-Fi for All Program, has committed to connecting the remaining 11,964 public schools before the end of the year. The department also pledged to prioritize remote and underserved communities to ensure that even students in the most far-flung areas are not left behind.
“Access to the internet is access to knowledge. Access to improving our lives,” Aquino concluded, emphasizing that the law’s full implementation is not just about technology—it’s about creating equal opportunities for all Filipinos.
