President Marcos Urges DICT to Prioritize Common Tower Program for Enhanced Connectivity

In a directive from Malacañang, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called on the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to place greater emphasis on its Common Tower Program (CTP). This initiative is seen as crucial for extending telecommunication services and improving connectivity throughout the Philippines. During a discussion with DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, the President highlighted the program’s potential to serve a larger segment of the population. The CTP is a key component of the government’s strategy to bolster telecommunication infrastructure, particularly in areas that have been historically underserved. Additionally, President Marcos received updates on the nation’s digitalization efforts, noting a significant increase in government systems from 250 to 1,277, which has greatly enhanced the efficiency of public services. Secretary Uy also reported on the ongoing efforts to expand Wi-Fi access, with plans to renew 15,715 Free Wi-Fi sites with a budget of PHP6 billion. Further investments totaling PHP1.5 billion are slated for new locations and the continuation of the CTP, which is expected to directly benefit over 400,000 people and indirectly reach more than two million Filipinos across the country.