DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- The country’s first off-grid e-community project in two barangays of Valencia town received a check donation worth P277,940 from Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

EDC’s two partner barangays, Malaunay and Caidiocan, each received P138,970 for the installation of WiFi infrastructure that will expand its internet connectivity services.

Officials of EDC led by Community Social Responsibility Head Norreen Bautista, together with Community Partner Rafael Duhaylungsod, Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (NOCCI) representatives Edward Du, Dodong Yap and Engr. Joemar Sayre, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Negros Oriental Provincial Director Engr. Aurelio Tinapay, and local government officials turned over the check in a ceremonial activity and Deed of Donation signing.

“We at EDC are very grateful for helping us elevate our communities in Valencia through this e-communities project. Having stable internet connection is now crucial for our communities to thrive in their occupations as students, employees, local government officials, entrepreneurs,” Bautista said.

The e-community project is EDC’s public WiFi project anchored on Republic Act No. 10929 or “An Act Establishing the Free Internet Access Program in Public Places in the Country.”

The strong synergy of EDC’s partners made the e-community initiative possible. 

EDC donated funds for the cost of labor and the purchase of necessary materials and equipment for the structure, while partner organizations were in-charge of complementary activities.

DICT contributed a fixed wireless broadband network with 20mbps bandwidth.

On the other hand, NOCCI supplied fixed wireless solar technology and a redundant broadband network design to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for the residents.

The barangays also facilitated the logistics and maintenance of the structure. 

Bautista further noted that EDC aims to make remote areas like barangays Malaunay and Caidiocan resilient and self-reliant through this project.

“Through this initiative, we hope to ensure the adaptability of the partner communities and create a positive impact on our stakeholders,” she said.

Currently, EDC supports three e-communities in Valencia, including its pilot area in the geographically isolated mountainous area of Brgy. Puhagan.

In October 2021, EDC, in collaboration with NOCCI, DICT, and the local government units, held a ceremonial switch-on in Brgy. Puhagan.

It was the first off-grid village in the country to have free public WiFi.

Barangay officials of Caidiocan and Malaunay thanked EDC and its partners for launching the project and bridging the digital divide by connecting far-flung, vulnerable, and at-risk communities across the country.

They noted that they will now have broad access to information through the free internet connection. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)