The government is intensifying efforts to provide internet access for all Filipinos, citing its importance in trade and communication. In a speech during the grand launch of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) Phase 1 in Pasay, President Marcos reiterated his vision of bringing high-speed internet access to the country to create a more digitally advanced Philippines.
President Marcos emphasized that the project could support the growth of the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises, which are central to the administration’s digitalization efforts. The NFB Phase 1, spanning 1,245 kilometers from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Roces District in Quezon City, is the first and only government-owned fiber backbone in the country with an initial 600 Gbps optical spectrum capacity.
The successful completion of Phase 1 will empower national and local government offices connected to GovNet, enhance operational efficiency, and generate over P145 million in potential savings annually. The project will also provide internet access to around 750,000 beneficiaries through 3,000 free Wi-Fi sites in Regions 1, 3, and the National Capital Region.
President Marcos commended the efforts of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), private partners, and public sectors for their collaboration in the project. The President looks forward to the completion of five more phases by 2026, which aims to increase internet penetration rate and reach 70 million Filipinos at a lower cost.
The DICT created the NBP to ensure that even the most remote areas in the Philippines can enjoy modern and state-of-the-art internet connections. President Marcos emphasized the importance of internet connectivity in trade, communications, and transactions within and among communities, describing it as the economic spine that supports growth and development.
