With Internet connectivity becoming one of the basic necessities for communication, online learning, and other online business transactions, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through the Information and Communications, Archives, and Records Management Office (ICARMO) and with the help of the Accent Microtechnologies Inc. (AMTI), has started the construction of the base transceiver station (BTS) towers and installation of site customer premises equipment (CPE) and Wi-Fi in preparation for the activation and launching of the free public Wi-Fi in schools and public places in the province.
“Dakulang bagay po an maka-provide kita nin free internet service sa satuyang mga kahimanwa ta aram ta man po baga an internet is considered as basic necessity kaibanan kan tubig saka kuryente. Ini po dakulang tabang sa satuyang mga kahimanwa kasi magkakaigwa na sinda nin access, makaka-contact na sinda sa mga kapamilya, at the same time, magagamit man ini kan mga kaakian sa saindang pag-aadal kan online learning na makakatabang man sa saindang mga research,” shared a representative of ICARMO.
As of July 12, 2022, around 30 towers of BTS were erected across the municipalities of Milaor, Minalabac, Pili, Bula, Iriga City, Libmanan and Ragay. Installations are ongoing as of writing. The Provincial Government targets to put-up BTS towers in 123 sites, which will be able to transmit the Wi-Fi access from the BTS point-to-point in different barangays and public places.
In Iriga City, the main BTS was erected at the back of Ka Fuerte Medical Assistance Program-Iriga Office in Barangay San Roque that will transmit the internet connection to the public market, terminal, schools, and town plaza.
The Free Wi-Fi for All Program is among the priority projects of Governor Luigi Villafuerte. The Provincial Government, under his leadership, targets to conduct the first roll-out of installations in public places, and then in barangays in the coming days.
Convenience in accessing internet for passengers and improving terminal facilities
The Iriga City Central Terminal was among the public areas covered by the first roll-out of the installment of the free public Wi-Fi. Due to the lack of Wi-Fi in the terminal, most passengers often used their mobile data to access the internet. However, with the low service reception in the area and the expense of data subscription, contacting their families or retrieving e-tickets can be an inconvenience for them.
Ticketing offices rely on internet for online bookings and business transactions, that is why for DLTB ticket seller Geneveve Romero, the installation of free public Wi-Fi will be beneficial not only to her but to the passengers who are visiting the office for booking as well. “Naogma po ako na naaraman ko na magkakaigwa na nin free Wi-Fi digdi sa Iriga terminal kasi usually ang mga pasahero, naghaharapot digdi kung igwa nin Wi-Fi. An pirmi ko na lang pigtutukdo si available na pisonet digdi ta yan lang an igwa digdi,” she shared.
“Dakulang tabang po talaga na magkaigwa nin free Wi-Fi digdi kasi madali na para sa mga passengers na ma-access an email para mapahiling samo si voucher ninda,” she also added.
As the acting Chief Administrative Officer of the Iriga City Central Terminal, Phillip Baluyot is aware of the needs to improve the facility for the regular passengers who are taking daily public transportation to travel in and out of Iriga City.
“Ini po ay magayon na innovation para ma-improve an satuyang facility sa terminal. Ginigibo po ini para matabangan an satuyang mga commuters tanganing ma-avail ninda an free Wi-Fi ta kaipuhan po ninda yan. Yan po an saro sa service na mare-render ni Gov. Villafuerte sa saiyang proyekto na ini para sa Iriga City Central Terminal kaya dakulang pasasalamat mi po saiya,” he said.
From a passenger’s point of view, Baluyot added, “Dakulang tabang po ini kasi unang-una, dae na sinda magastos para sa load para lang makapag-internet sinda. Makakapag-avail na sinda nin free Wi-Fi ngunyan para mag communicate sa kanilang pamilya, friends, or relatives na masundo sa saindang destinasyon.”
With the free public Wi-Fi now installed in terminals, passengers will no longer have to spend on data subscriptions or pisonet for them to access the internet. Moreover, this resolves the inconveniences for travelers and ticketing offices in their online transactions.
Significance of Free Wi-Fi in public areas for students and online businesses
To date, the pandemic still puts a limit to face-to-face interactions. This caused the emergence of remote online businesses and distance learning. Despite this, internet connection remains a privilege not enjoyed by many, especially those who cannot afford to have their own Wi-Fi installed at home or to avail data subscriptions to connect to cyberspace.
In the municipality of Libmanan, the free public Wi-Fi was installed at the town plaza, where locals would usually pass by to take a leisure walk or spend the time to idly take a break. Jovelyn Caganda, a student from Patag, Libmanan who also helps sell siomai and gulaman at their food stall near the town plaza, expressed her joy and excitement upon knowing that there will be free Wi-Fi in their area soon.
She shared, “Talaga pong inaabangan ko ining pagkakaigwa nin free Wi-Fi. Bilang sarong working student, dakulang tabang po ini sakuya lalo na igwa kaming face-to-face saka modular learning kun sain nagagastos kami para sa load tanganing makapaginternet.”
Caganda also found it beneficial for their food business as they also have a Facebook page where she receives inquiries for orders and deliveries. “Sa panahon ngunyan, kaipuhan talaga nin internet para makipag-communicate through Facebook. An 100 pesos mo, pang 1 week na load subscription lang siya. Pero kung may free Wi-Fi na, makakatipid na kami. Si magagastos mi sa load, pwede mi na itagama sa mga bagay na kaipuhan pang bakalon arog nin pagkakan o gamit sa school,” she shared.
In the case of a mother who guides her child through modules, Sonia Fernandez of San Juan, Libmanan expressed her gratitude to the Provincial Government’s initiative in installing free Wi-Fi at the plaza.
“Dakulaong tabang po ini sa mga kajovenan, lalo man po samuyang mga magurang na mayong pambayad nin internet. An mga aki mi dae man talaga nakakapag-access sa internet tapos kami man po si nagtatabang sainda sa saindang pag-module. Bukod sa maduman sinda sa library, pwede naman sinda magdigdi kun sain may libreng Wi-Fi para sa pag module,” she shared.
Realizing the positive impact of the program for her and fellow Libmaneños, Sonia is already looking forward to all the projects soon to be implemented under the administration of Governor Luigi Villafuerte. “Saro na po ining dakulang pagbabago para samuya asin maogma kaming Libmaneños ta ngunyan lang po ini nangyari sa kahaluyan na panahon. Dakula po an samong pasasalamat ta sa mga pamamayo po ninda, ngunyan mi po namati an mga programang arog kaning sa internet. Maogma po kami, salamaton pong maray,” she happily added.
In 2018, 19 towns in the province were already connected through the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Pipol Konek, where 24/7 Wi-Fi access points were installed in plazas and public libraries. The Provincial Government, through the ICARMO, has also previously installed free public Wi-Fi in 88 public schools in the towns of Pili, Bula, Minalabac, and Milaor.
With the Provincial Government’s Free Wi-Fi For All Project aiming to connect every town to cyberspace and to ease the access to internet connectivity in the province, every Camarinense will finally get to enjoy the privileges of enhanced internet connectivity, which will allow them to stay connected for online communications, digital learning, and online business opportunities.
