In a significant move to enhance digital connectivity, the Department of Information and Communications Technology in Northern Mindanao (DICT-10) has successfully extended internet services to remote and underserved areas. This initiative was highlighted during the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ event held in Cagayan de Oro City on November 19, 2024. DICT-10 Director Sittie Rahma Alawi announced that the agency has now connected 53 Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), including regions previously affected by insurgency, with free Wi-Fi services. This development is crucial for improving access to education, communication, and government services in these communities. Although Camiguin province does not have any GIDAs, DICT has supported the province in meeting the requirements for the Electronic Business One-Stop Shop program, streamlining business permit processes. The region now features 13,462 free Wi-Fi access points, with the most recent expansion occurring in Misamis Oriental. Overall, 516 locations across Northern Mindanao are equipped with 889 active access sites. This initiative is part of a broader effort to close the digital divide and enhance technological access in marginalized areas, as emphasized by Director Alawi.
