CORTES, Bohol (PIA)—Because information has become a massively important for development, and with the advances in accessing information through internet connectivity, the Provincial Government of Bohol through its Sangguniang Panlalawigan, is into facilitating the internet connection of some last mile barangays, through an ordinance.
This as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region 7- Bohol said that in 2024, Bohol has about 250 barangay halls which do not have communication signal in short messaging system (SMS) or texting, voice or data connection due to their being too far from the reach of cellular networks.
However, of that number, 29 barangay halls succeeded in accessing free Wireless Fidelity (Wifi) through the DICT and its technologies.
Using similar models, Bohol intends to pick on the strategy to allow information through the last mile so communities can also access technologies, innovation and high speed learning.
Bohol’s solution is through a small investment in satellite internet connection, which shall bridge the digital division and information access for those remote areas, free for public users.
Here, the Provincial Government purchases the hardware and other necessary equipment for satellite internet connection for the remote barangays.
In partnership with reputable satellite internet service providers to ensure the efficient operation of the satellite internet services in the remote areas, the satellite signal is then passed to the installed local wireless signal receiver, in the barangay hall.
BICTO and DICT picks the strategic location of the barangay and provides for the necessary equipment and installation of hardware unit for free internet service in the barangay.
Through a resolution requesting the installation of free public internet, a barangay can avail of the program.
And then the barangay pays for the subscription of the internet service provider, maintains the internet service and report to project management team when and internet connection problem occurs.
As soon as the barangay now decides to discontinue the service, they notify BICTO, and return the hardware so the Provincial Government can assign the unit to a barangay which requests for the service. (RAHC/PIA-7/Bohol)
