By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter)
Piddig, Ilocos
Norte—Not to be left behind, the municipal government here in partnership with PLDT
Enterprise and Smart Telecommunications launched the free internet connectivity
project by providing fiber connectivity and internet solutions to all 23 barangays
here.
“My dream has now [turned] into a reality,” Piddig Mayor Eduardo
“Eddie” G. Guillen said by providing a reliable internet connection to all the
barangays here to support online learning, improve governance capabilities and
online business with their constituents.
“This new project of Piddig would be of great help in the
advancement of Piddig and our schools for learning, especially [in] this time
of COVID-19 pandemic as connectivity which has been fundamental in today’s
digital age,” Guillen stressed.
“Gapu ta dakkel iti
pammatik nga ti internet ket
number one driver iti economic
growth, innovation, competitiveness, human resource development ken kangrunaan na iti micro, small and
medium enterprises,” the mayor added.
He stated that Piddigeños can enjoy the internet connection in
their respective barangay halls or schools nearest to them and avail of the
free connection.
The PHP15 million project, payable in three years, comes from the
municipality’s 20 percent development fund, which the government allowed for
use in distance learning, especially this time of pandemic.
The Ilocos Times learned
that the municipal government, thru the mayor’s initiative, provides a PHP100
allowance for selected student for their unlimited data purchase every week, or
PHP400 per month.
With the 1,000 students who availed of the said unlimited data
worth PHP400 per month, the municipal government incurs an expense of P400,000
per month, or P4.8 million a year which is near the PHP5 million free internet
coverage of the entire town annually.
Guillen noted further that the P15 million will be payable in 3
years only as the succeeding years will have a charge PHP300,000 per year.
“Iti pagnginaan na ngamin a
bayadan tayo ket daytoy in-put up iti PLDT kas kuma tay tower ken dadduma pay ngem bagi tay ton after three
years,” Guillen explained.
The launch was conducted thru a virtual meeting, with Guillen
representing the municipality of Piddig, with Smart Telecommunications and PLDT
Enterprise executives participating.
“We at PLDT Enterprise have always to empower local government
units anywhere in the Philippines with our innovative solutions. During this
time, it is our top priority to work with our local governments to deliver
reliable connectivity needed in amplifying their COVD-19 response. This project
will not only allow the municipality of Piddig to provide greater public
services but will also assist hundreds of local students in continuing their
online education,” PLDT FVP & Enterprise Revenue Group Head Vic Tria said
in a press release.
“Our goal at PLDT is to make a positive impact on every single
business which includes our local government units. We have been continuously
extending our innovative services to the different LGUs and municipalities in
the country to support their needs in improving overall public governance and
this last partnership with Piddig, Ilocos Norte is a testament to that,” ePLDT
President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business
Groups Jovy Hernandez added in the same press release.
Guillen also expressed his gratitude to PLDT Enterprise and Smart
for working with LGU Piddig by providing a reliable internet connection for the
entire town as he hopes this project will help his fellow Piddigeños both in
education, business and governance.
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