President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., accompanied by Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda and DICT Undersecretary Paul Joseph Mercado, tests the Free Public Wi-Fi he launched at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, Leyte on Monday, July 7, 2025. The President engaged in an online conversation with government officials, teachers and students—from Batanes to as far as Cotabato and Marawi—who are now enjoying the benefits of the free Wi-Fi service provided by the government.
PALO, LEYTE — Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday welcomed the launch of Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) Project, calling it a major step toward making fast and reliable internet accessible to every Filipino household.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is making sure internet service becomes a basic right, not a privilege,” Romualdez said. “This launch shows we are serious about bringing dependable connections to people who have waited far too long.”
Romualdez joined the President and other officials at the launch event held at The Tropics in McArthur Park Hotel in Palo.
With the new phases, the NFB project will expand its coverage in Luzon, reach across the Visayas including Eastern Visayas, and begin rollout in parts of Mindanao. It aims to connect nearly 1,000 government offices, 20 provinces, benefiting approximately 17 million Filipinos, including 1.39 million unique users.
Romualdez emphasized that in today’s world, internet access is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity that every Filipino family must have.
“Walang pamilya ang dapat maiwan. Ang koneksyon sa internet ay hindi na dapat ituring na pribilehiyo—isa na po itong karapatang kailangang maabot ng bawat tahanan,” Romualdez said.
“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa bilis ng internet. Mas mahalaga, mapapadali ang pag-access ng mga pamilya sa serbisyo ng gobyerno, makakapag-aral nang tuloy-tuloy ang mga estudyante saan mang panig ng bansa, at magkakaroon ng mas malaking pagkakataon ang maliliit na negosyo na lumago at makipagsabayan.”
He stressed that areas like Eastern Visayas, long left behind in terms of digital infrastructure, stand to benefit the most.
Romualdez said he will work to ensure that the proposed 2026 national budget provides adequate support for digital infrastructure projects, particularly those under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) such as the Middle Mile Network, GovNet, and the Free Public Internet Access Program.
“We have a duty to make sure these projects are funded well and implemented right,” he said. “Connectivity should not depend on where you live. Every barangay, from the center of the city to the farthest island, deserves access to reliable internet.”
“Dito natin maipapakita ang tunay na layunin ng Bagong Pilipinas—ang gobyernong marunong tumugon sa pangangailangan ng bawat mamamayan.”
Apart from the Phases 2 and 3 of the NFB, President Marcos also launched Free Public Wi-Fi at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, Leyte.
Started in 2024, the NFB project is a multi-phase effort to create a high-speed, secure communications network across the country. The expanded coverage in Phases 2 and 3 sets the stage for future growth in digital health, education, and commerce in areas like Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and beyond.
“Hindi ito proyekto ng iilan. Ito ay para sa pamilyang Pilipino—para sa mga estudyante, manggagawa, negosyante, at bawat isa na kailangang kumonekta sa mas mabilis na mundo,” Romualdez said.
“Kasama niyo kami sa Kongreso sa pagtataguyod ng mga ganitong hakbang—tahimik man pero may tunay na epekto sa buhay ng karaniwang tao.”
About the Author
