Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines, has taken a significant step toward strengthening nationwide digital connectivity through the development of the DICT Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP) Roadmap and Manual of Procedures (MOP).

DICT and UNDP convened a capacity-building workshop that brought together sixty personnel from the DICT Free Wi-Fi Project Management Team and 16 Regional Offices. The workshop guided participants through the end-to-end process of developing the program’s Roadmap and MOP, deepening their understanding of the program’s structure, purpose, and long-term direction. This process aims to support more consistent implementation, stronger governance, and the long-term sustainability of free public internet services across the Philippines.

The initiative is implemented through the Connectivity, Capability, and Resiliency through Free Wi-Fi for All (CoRe FW4A) Project, a joint initiative between DICT and UNDP designed to strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of DICT’s Free Public Internet Access Program to sustainably manage free Wi-Fi sites nationwide.

The project also supports the integration of connectivity into education and healthcare ICT systems, as well as the disaster preparedness and response capabilities of national and local government units, helping ensure responsive, reliable, and resilient connectivity for communities.

In her remarks, OIC Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Management Pinky T. Jimenez highlighted DICT’s continuing efforts to strengthen the Philippines’ internet infrastructure.

“We plan together, we plan to succeed, and we plan to make DICT known not only in our region but across the global community,” she said.

Through interactive sessions, participants assessed organizational strengths, weaknesses, and operational needs while identifying sustainability priorities. These discussions informed the development of practical tools to define roles, standardize procedures, and ensure consistent implementation across the country. By the end of the workshop, participants had produced a draft Roadmap and MOP.