A new bill was filed in the senate that aims to establish a free internet access program that will provide free internet access to the public in government offices and public places throughout the country. – S.B. 1277 or The Free Internet Access in Public Places Act.

The bill, filed in December 2016, was co-authored by Senator Bam Aquino along with senators Pangilinan, Pacquiao and Recto. The act aims to “establish a program that will provide free access to internet service in public places throughout the country, to promote knowledge-building among citizens and enable them to participate and compete in the evolving information and communication age.”

The said program will be called the Free Public Internet Access Program and involves the establishment of infrastructure, installation of equipment, and the creation of an online platform and application to provide free internet access to the public in government offices and public places throughout the country.

Below are the public places and government offices to be covered by the program:

* All national and local government offices

* Public basic education institutions

* State universities and colleges

* Public hospitals and health centers

* Public parks, plazas, and libraries

* Public airports, seaports

* Public transport terminals

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) shall be the lead implementing agency for this act.

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