ASCOT ZABALI CAMPUS — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Aurora has installed Free Wi-Fi at ASCOT Zabali Campus on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 with DICT Provincial Head, Engr. Ravenal De Jesus, Ms. Roma Herminigildo, DICT Project Development Officer and Engr. Godfrey B. Gudoy, ASCOT- ICTC Director. The free Wi-Fi for All Program of DICT aims to address the connectivity needs not only for public educational institutions but all public government agencies around the Philippines under the “new normal” and to minimize the digital divide in the country. The DICT will also install Free Wi-Fi at Casiguran and Bazal Campus after their assessment in the area.

Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II, directed its Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Team, Regional Operations Coordination Service Directors, and Regional Cluster Offices through a memorandum, to coordinate and collaborate with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), their respective regional offices, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and other educational institutions, for the prompt installation and deployment of Free Wi-Fi Internet Access that are relevant to the education sector, including the provision of technical assistance when necessary.

This initiative of DICT is in accordance with Republic Act 10929, otherwise known as the “Free Internet Access in Public Places Act”, the DICT covers the installation of free internet access in public places and aims to accelerate the government’s efforts in enhancing Internet accessibility to bridge the growing Digital Divide. Public places include plazas, schools, Rural Health Units (RHUs), transport terminals, airports, seaports, hospitals, and community quarantine sites among others. Improving connectivity similarly aligns with the National ICT Month 2020 theme of “Maximizing ICT in the New Normal” that covers the digital education component.