SENATOR Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino IV is urging the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to fast-track the full implementation of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act (Republic Act 10929), warning that the lack of connectivity is stalling the nation’s progress in education, commerce, and daily life.

Aquino, one of the law’s co-authors, said the slow rollout of the government’s Free Wi-Fi for All Program leaves millions of Filipinos — especially students in public schools — disconnected from opportunity.

“Internet connection is vital to our lives. It’s used to find a job, build a business, transact with the government, and now, during the rainy season, to stay safe from disaster,” Aquino said during a Senate session.

Data from the DICT shows that only 2,872 of the country’s 58,121 public schools are currently connected to the government’s free Wi-Fi program. The rest remain reliant on costly private internet service providers.

Aquino said this digital divide undermines the law’s promise to make internet access a public good. “Access to the internet is access to knowledge — access to improving our lives,” he said.

FREE WIFI. Senator Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino IV, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, speaks during a hearing at the Senate in Pasay City. Aquino urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology to fast-track the full implementation of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act to ensure all Filipinos have access to reliable internet. Photo courtesy of Senate of the Philippines

The senator outlined three key actions for the DICT to accelerate implementation:

  1. Secure sufficient funding to build and maintain Wi-Fi sites nationwide, particularly in schools and colleges.
  2. Release a public master plan detailing the rollout schedule, coverage targets, and measurable milestones for nationwide connectivity.
  3. Prioritize critical institutions such as hospitals, government offices, transport terminals, and underserved areas.

Aquino also proposed that the DICT negotiate bulk internet deals with telecommunications companies to reduce costs for public schools.

“Let’s make sure our schools can go online without breaking their budgets,” he said during a Senate science and technology committee hearing.

Telecommunications firms have expressed support for Aquino’s proposal, signaling a willingness to offer discounted rates to the Department of Education (DepEd).

The DICT, for its part, pledged to connect 11,964 more public schools to the program before year’s end, prioritizing Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas to ensure equitable access.

Aquino stressed that full implementation of the law is not merely a technological goal — it’s a social and economic imperative.

“When we connect our schools, we connect our future. This is not just about Wi-Fi — it’s about giving every Filipino a fair chance to learn, to work, and to thrive,” Aquino said.