December 24, 2022

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. surprised the participants of an online ‘kamustahan’ with the BroadBand ng Masa (BBM) Program recipients by joining the virtual event initiated by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Christmas Eve.

He greeted the online participants a ‘Merry Christmas’ and expressed his satisfaction upon seeing that internet connectivity is being spread throughout the archipelago by the DICT to benefit Filipinos, especially students and small business owners.

According to the President, this is only the start of the BroadBand ng Masa Program and it will be expanded in remote and far-flung provinces to enable all Filipinos to connect with families, friends and colleagues from virtually anywhere in the Philippines.

Participants in the online ‘kamustahan’ included DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, DICT Regional Directors, students, teachers and school representatives from Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School (Marawi City), Armenia Elementary School (Masbate), Bandera Elementary School (Samal Island), Dinganen-Buldon National High School (Maguindanao), Villa Espina Elementary School (Lopez, Quezon), Sultan Barira National High School (Maguindanao), Balabac District (Palawan), Dioriong Integrated School (Quirino), Leyte National Senior High School (Tacloban, Leyte), Matanog National High School (Maguindanao), Sacol Island (Zamboanga City), Mangsee National High School (Balabac, Palawan) and Pagasa Island (Kalayaan, Palawan).

The BroadBand ng Masa (BBM) Program aims to provide fast, free and reliable internet connection to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAS) across the country upon the directive of President Marcos Jr.

Complementing the broadband connection, DICT also turned over tablets to different schools and installed solar and gas-powered generators in areas with limited or no access to electricity.

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