By Glen S, Ramos
ZAMBOANGA City – The Department of Information Communication Technology (DICT) opened today, Thursday, 21 January 2021, 58 new “Free Wi-Fi for All” hotspots in Zamboanga City.
“This is to provide internet connectivity to public places with priority to key institutions and locations that are on the frontline including hospitals, Covid isolation facilities, local government units, Disaster Risk Management Offices and educational institutions,” DICT Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan stated.
“This is to continue our objective to widen the reach of our free wi-fi program and to provide connectivity to our people through the internet and also to enjoy the benefits of the endless possibilities that it brings,” Honasan added.
“This year, we will also be focusing our efforts to extend the program to far-flung barangays, island communities considered as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas so that they can also have the opportunity of free internet access,” he added.
As of January 14, 2021, there are now a total of 7,642 sites in the country that is connected, serving over 7 million users.
These are located in 17 regions, 79 provinces, 1,057 cities and municipalities with 19 points of presence (PoP).
From the total wi-fi hotspot sites, 2,085 of these are located in government hospitals and RHUs, 1,514 are installed in national and local government units, 139 are in public libraries, 1,415 are om public parks, plazas, 1,187 in public schools, 1,212 in state universities and colleges and TESDA institutions and 90 in transport terminals.
In Zamboanga City, among the facilities and institutions which has a “Free Wi-Fi for All” hotspot installed were (For Hospitals & RHUs): Zamboanga City Medical Center, and Santa Catalina Health Center.
For local government units and national government agencies: Zamboanga City Health Office – Conference Room, Zamboanga City Risk Reduction Management Office, BFP IX – 2nd Floor, BFP IX – Queuing Area, Bureau of Immigration, CHED IX – Queuing Area (Cashier), CHED IX (2nd Floor), DEPED IX – Transaction Area (1st Floor), DFA Consular Office Zamboanga City – Queing Area, Edwin Andrews Airbase, NTC IX – Front Hall, Pag-IBIG Western Mindanao – Queiung Area, PSA Regional Office IX – Queuing Area A, PSA Regional Office IX – Queuing Area B, Southern Philippines Development Authority, Paseo del Mar, PPA Passengers Hub, DFA Consular Office Zamboanga City – Queuing Area.
Academic institutions/Schools: Baliwasan Central School, Canelar Elementary School, Divisoria Elementary School, Guiwan Elementary School, Lunzuran Elementary School, Luyahan Elementary School, Malagutay Elementary School, Mampang Elementary School, Pasonanca Elementary School,
Putik Central School, San Roque Elementary School, Santa Barbara Central School, Southcom Elementary School, Southern Support Command Elementary School, Tetuan Central School, Tugbungan Elementary School, Zamboanga East Central School, Don Pablo A. Lorenzo Memorial High School, Maria Clara L. Lobregat National High School, Southcom National High School, Zamboanga City High School (Main), Zamboanga National High School (West), Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College, Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology,
COVID-19 Facilities: Ateneo de Zamboanga – Lantaka Campus (CoViD-19 Referral Center), CoViD-19 Referral Center – Medical Quarters, CoViD-19 Referral Center East Wing – 2nd Floor, CoViD-19 Referral Center East Wing – 3rd Floor, CoViD-19 Referral Center East Wing – 4th Floor, Zamboanga CoViD Center – Function Hall, Zamboanga CoViD Center – Ground Floor, Zamboanga CoViD Center – Second Floor, Zamboanga Covid19 Testing Center for Region IX, DOH Training Center Covid19 Isolation Facility,
Euntes Asian Mission Center (Isolation Facility), New Agong Harmony Village Quarantine Facility 2nd Floor, New Agong Harmony Village Quarantine Facility Ground Floor, New Agong Harmony Village Quarantine Facility Medical Quarters.
“Rest assured that we will continue to improve our program and services for the benefit of the Filipino people,” Honasan concluded. (AI/MTVN)
