BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), is ramping up efforts to connect all public schools to the internet by the end of 2025–an ambitious goal made increasingly possible with the formal launch of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) Phase 2 and 3 on July 7 in Leyte, led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 

The NFB expansion delivers 31 new connection points across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, enhancing bandwidth and access of provinces and government offices, including public schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). The initiative is expected to benefit over 600 government sites and nearly 17 million Filipinos, according to President Marcos. 

“Mahigit 600 tanggapan ng gobyerno ang magkakaroon ng mabilis at maaasahang internet. Mapapakinabangan ito ng halos 17 milyong Pilipino. At kapag buo na ang National Fiber Backbone, maaari pang mabawasan ang gastos sa mga telco at internet providers dahil may sarili na tayong imprastruktura. Mas abot-kayang internet, mas maraming Pilipino ang konektado,” said the President during the launch, which was also attended by House Speaker Martin Romualdez and DICT Secretary Henry Aguda. 

For DepEd, the NFB is a game-changer. With nearly 47,000 schools under its wing, with some of it remain unserved or underserved, the fiber backbone will power the Department’s Digital Bayanihan Project, jointly implemented with DICT to reach last-mile schools. 

In Bay-ang National High School in Ajuy, Iloilo, the changes are already visible. Previously categorized as a “dead spot,” the school now enjoys free public WiFi through the project. For the first time, teachers can submit reports from within school grounds, conduct ICT classes, and access online learning resources. 

“Pahirapan kaming mag-submit ng mga school reports, lalo na halos lahat ng reports is online yung submission. Kapag may online webinars noon, pumupunta pa kami sa lugar kung saan may internet connection. Pero lahat ng ’yan nabago nung dumating ang free WiFi for all ng DepEd at DICT,” school head Harence Cacho said, recalling how teachers once traveled to neighboring barangays just to access mobile data. 

The Digital Bayanihan Project is part of a broader campaign by DepEd and DICT to roll out digital infrastructure across the archipelago. In the short term, the Bayanihan SIM Program is helping to address mobile connectivity needs. Over 113,000 learners, 3,800 teachers, and 357 public schools have been identified to receive free SIM card with data connection. The initial rollout began on June 27 in Bulacan, Zambales, and Quezon. 

Meanwhile, the PPP for School Infrastructure Project for Digitalization (PSIP Connect) will chart the delivery of devices, solar-powered solutions, and satellite internet packages to underserved schools starting 4th quarter of 2026. 

“Hindi natin mapapalago ang kalidad ng edukasyon kung hindi konektado ang ating mga paaralan sa mundo. Sa direktiba ni President Marcos at sa tulong ng DICT at ng buong pamahalaan, isinusulong natin ang digital inclusion na tunay na may malasakit,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.  

With the rollout of the National Fiber Backbone and complementary DepEd programs underway, the Marcos administration is laying the groundwork for an inclusive, tech-enabled learning environment where every learner and teacher, regardless of geography, is connected to opportunity. 

From Luzon to the farthest islands of Visayas and Mindanao, education is at the center of the Philippines’ digital revolution. 

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from DepEd