Free Wi-Fi in each municipality of Palawan eyed

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/993806
• Tuesday, June 6, 2017

By Grace Ann N. Belostrino (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, June 6 -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan approved on Tuesday the passage of a resolution to set up free Wi-Fi in its 23 municipalities, and to request the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) to help accomplish it.

Board Member Albert Rama, author of the measure, said Secretary Rodolfo Salalima of the DICT can help make this happen for Palawan to bridge “the great digital information divide” as many residents live in far-flung areas.

“Malaking tulong ito, lalo na sa mga estudyante sa mga munisipyo dahil makaka-access sila agad sa mga information na kailangan sa kanilang pag-aaral (This can be a very big help to our students in the municipalities because they can access information that they need for their studies),” Rama said.

But he also recognized the need to control and manage the use of the free Wi-Fi since he doesn’t want students in Palawan to delve in so much fake news and their spread.

“Ito ang advantage pero kailangan din ay magabayan sila laban naman doon sa mga maling impormasyon sa internet na pwede nilang makuha. Pero mas tinitignan natin ang advantage nito para sa learnings (It is an advantage but of course, they need to be guided against fake news and fake information that they will see. However, I look at this as something for the sake of their learning),” he said.

The approved resolution calls for each municipality to have four areas where the free Wi-Fi will be set up, and these must be frequented by the public, such as public markets, parks, and plazas.

He said not only the students will benefit, but also residents, who need to know what is going on around them.