QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- Emphasizing the importance of strong connectivity amidst digital transformation, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda expresses support for the recent launching of e-Governance and Wi-Fi sites in 150 barangays in her home province Sibalom, Antique.
Senator Legarda underscores the significance of investing more in technology stressing that digital inclusion should now be one of the government's priorities.
"We can no longer stall digital transformation – it is inevitable. The launch of these free Wi-Fi sites is only the beginning. We are doing this not only for our kasimanwas in Antique, but also for our kababayan in the different parts of the country, with our strengthened partnership with the DICT," Senator Legarda said.
The launching of e-Governance and Wi-Fi sites has been spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to ensure the convenience and availability of internet services in different campuses of the University of Antique (UA) and other parts of the province, including indigenous community areas.
This is considering the importance of digital inclusion which has been made evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when most Filipinos shifted into a digital environment as an alternative to physical interaction.
The demand for internet services continues to soar because it does not only connect people but allows Filipino families to have easy online access to information, health, education, and even government services.
As the principal author of Republic Act No. 10844, the law that created the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Sen. Legarda is aware of the importance of ICT in our nation's progress, thus, providing affordable, accessible, and reliable internet services to the communities is a priority.
"Our goal is to ensure that every community will be connected digitally, and every citizen will have the knowledge and skill to effectively use and access ICTs, so that in this highly-evolving digital world, we can all keep up, and no one gets left behind," Sen. Legarda said. (KSAA – PIA CPSD with information from Office of Senator Loren Legarda)
