Piddig Mayor Eddie Guillen (upper right photo) represents the municipality of Piddig together with PLDT Enterprise and Smart executives during the virtual launching of the “Piddig Free Internet Connectivity” for all the 23 barangays here held on June 29, 2021. (LGU Piddig photo)
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 ketnumber 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.