Duterte signs Free Internet in Public Places Act
Free internet for all as President Rodrigo Duterte signs the Free Internet in Public Places Act which allows everyone to be able to access free internet in any public place or establishment throughout the Philippines.
IMAGE specof.com
Keeping his promise to provide accessible and fast internet, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 10929 last Wednesday, August 3. This newly approved law includes free internet services to the following locations:
- National and local government offices
- Public basic education institutions
- State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
- Public hospitals, health centers, and rural health units
- Public parks, plazas, libraries
- Public airports and seaports
- and public transport terminals
Leading this program will be the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) which will oversee the effective and efficient implementation of the law. The Free Public Internet Access Program requires DICT to ensure that each user will experience a minimum internet speed of two megabits per second (2 Mbps).
As stated in an article published by Rappler, DICT is allowed to partner with private sectors to better implement the program and will be financed by Spectrum Users Fees through the Free Public Internet Access Fund to be managed by DICT.
Also read: Duterte signs 10-year passports and 5-year driver’s licenses into law and Free Tuition Bill in PH Signed Into Law
Written by Philippine Primer Intern Ofelyn Datuin
Sources: Rappler, Philippine News Agency
Images are taken from specof.com and Pexels
