The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is ramping up efforts to bridge the digital divide in Central Luzon. Under the leadership of Secretary Henry Aguda, the agency recently distributed 938 Bayanihan SIM cards at Marcos Village Elementary School in Pampanga, ensuring students and teachers in underserved areas have access to free internet connectivity.
Bayanihan SIM: Free Data for Students and Teachers
The Bayanihan SIM program is a nationwide initiative designed to provide internet connectivity to students, teachers, and non-teaching staff, particularly those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) . Each SIM card is loaded with 25GB of free mobile data monthly for one year, giving beneficiaries sustained access to educational resources and essential digital services . The DICT has allocated a budget of PHP 3 billion for this project, targeting approximately one million SIM cards distributed across the country . The program is implemented in partnership with telecommunications companies and with the support of the Department of Education and local government units to ensure orderly distribution.
Connectivity Upgrade: Schools Now Running at 930 Mbps
During his visit, Secretary Aguda also inspected the internet connectivity at UP Clark and Mabalacat City College. Both institutions experienced a dramatic speed increase, with their connections surging from 200 Mbps to approximately 930 Mbps after being linked to the National Fiber Backbone. This upgrade is part of the DICT's broader Digital Bayanihan thrust to ensure that no Filipino is left offline and to support the digital transformation of the education sector . The National Fiber Backbone is a critical infrastructure project that, together with expanded bandwidth capacity, is enabling nationwide, high-speed connectivity for government offices, schools, and economic zones.
