The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is eyeing to complete the government network (GovNet) Phase I in Ilocos Norte before the May 12 elections to boost the internet connectivity of the 85 government agencies here.
“Our contractor is here and they will now start the fiber installation based on the completed plan,” DICT provincial head Gerald Victor Calamaan told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.
“The Capitol will served as the main server that will share 10 GB to all offices.”
Under the program, DICT is responsible for providing the actual fiber optic cores and the other peripherals necessary for establishing a connection between GovNet and government offices to help address the basic need for transparency, efficiency, and effective governance through information, communications and technology.
The DICT has allotted PHP21 million to fund the implementation of e-governance initiatives in the province.
Once fully completed, digital government transactions will become more efficient and reliable, fostering economic growth and improving residents’ quality of life.
To date, the DICT continues to empower communities through the installation of public WiFis in all public places, including village halls, as well as primary and secondary schools.
“We have 54 sites to be installed with public WiFi and installation works are ongoing. At least 40 percent of these government places have now access to public WiFi,” Calamaan said.
He, however, noted that the bandwidth of public WiFi is limited, and this will get a boost once the GovNet Phase 1 is completed.
GovNet is part of the E-Government Masterplan of the DICT which aims to build the fiber-to-the-building connection for government agencies, schools, local government units, and hospitals.
By Leilanie Adriano(PNA)