Baguio City has taken a significant step forward in enhancing its digital infrastructure by activating 72 free WiFi zones, a move supported by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). These WiFi zones, part of the national government’s connectivity initiative and the city’s smart city project, are strategically placed in public areas and government facilities to ensure widespread internet access.
DICT-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) director Reynaldo Sy announced the integration of these WiFi access points into the DICT Regional Government Network. Key locations benefiting from this initiative include the Baguio public market, Melvin Jones grandstand, and several parks such as Burnham Park and Wright Park. Other notable sites include Camp John Hay, Sunshine Park, and Mines View Park, along with essential government offices like the Baguio City Hall and the Baguio General Hospital.
The WiFi service is accessible to the public without the need for a password, making it easier for residents and visitors to stay connected. This initiative is part of the broader ‘WiFi For All’ project, which aims to bridge the digital divide across the country.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong emphasized that this connectivity enhancement is a crucial component of the city’s ambition to achieve smart city status by 2027. The mayor outlined the vision of transforming Baguio into a smart, green, and sustainable city, focusing on improving public health, social systems, environmental sustainability, social connectedness, mobility, public safety, and governance.
The journey towards becoming a smart city began with the establishment of the Smart City Command Center, funded by a PHP200-million grant from the national government and inaugurated in September 2021. This center serves as the hub for managing and monitoring the city’s smart initiatives, including the newly activated WiFi zones.