Marcos nears internet-for-schools goal: 78% coverage

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s goal of providing internet connectivity to all public schools by the end of 2025 is close to being achieved, with current coverage at over 70 percent.

Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda reported during a speech that only around 60 percent of public schools were connected online earlier this year.

Aguda stated that they have now reached 78 percent connectivity, with particular attention given to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).

The government is expanding the National Fiber Backbone project, which has completed Phase 1 covering over 1,200 km from Laoag in Ilocos Norte to Quezon City.

Phases 2 and 3 of the program are underway, aiming to cover an additional 1,800 km area from Cagayan Valley to Mindanao, benefiting around 17 million people.

Aguda emphasized the importance of transparency and collaboration with telecommunications firms in achieving this goal.