Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
by Miriam G.Desacada
Palo Leyte — Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez yesterday vowed to help improve internet access nationwide.
Romualdez said he will ensure that the 2026 national budget provides adequate support for digital infrastructure projects.
These projects include the middle-mile network, GovNet and free public internet access program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
“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,” he said.
Launching the National Fiber Backbone project’s phases two and three in Palo, Leyte is a major step toward giving households access to fast and reliable internet, he said.
The project aims to connect about 1,000 government offices and 20 provinces, benefiting 17 million Filipinos, including 1.39 million unique users.
Romualdez joined President Marcos and others at the launch event at The Tropics at MacArthur Park Hotel in Palo.
During thd grand launching President Marcos also launched the free public WiFi at MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo
Speaker Romualdez also said that the rollout of Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) Project in Palo, Leyte, describing it as a strong step toward giving every Filipino household access to fast and reliable internet.
“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.”
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, and improve access for around 1.39 million 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 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.”
