Free Wi-Fi Project Goes Nationwide

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The DOST - Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Office’s Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places project will be including class one and two municipalities in its roll out, in order to better reach the class three to six municipalities which were the original target beneficiaries of the project.

The decision to include class one and two municipalities initially stemmed from the low participation in the procurement of providers for the original 967 beneficiary municipalities. A reason cited by the providers was the low price of Allocated Budget for Contract (ABC) for the various municipalities. According to Undersecretary Louis Casambre of the ICT Office, “We intend to increase the budget allocation for Municipal Connectivity for the project, by around 50%, likewise, we will also be including class one and two municipalities in order to better reach classes three to six, the ones who need Internet connectivity the most.” The total number of beneficiary municipalities now stands at 1,435.

Usec. Casambre further stated that providers would need to upgrade and expand their communications infrastructure in order to serve far flung areas, and with class one and a municipalities included it would be easier for them to reach the poorer communities. “Tenders are currently being prepared for the new municipalities with the new budget, and they should be available within the month.” Usec. Casambre added. According to the Project Management Team, 1.6 billion pesos was added to the 2015 unobligated funds for the 2016 budget.

Globe #StartNow Youth Summit Set to Educate and Empower Students

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Globe gathers students on January 30, 2015 at UP Diliman to learn how digital innovations can be used to create positive change

The continuing rise in smartphone penetration in the Philippines has allowed more individuals to get a hold of their own device and eventually learn to adapt a digital lifestyle – from social networking sites to various apps for efficiency. One’s mobile experience has immensely improved with tasks such as booking movies, restaurant seats, and even hailing cabs now having its corresponding apps for convenience.

With this fast-paced evolution, the youth now have more power than ever in their fingertips. Knowing how to maximize, adapt and embrace it the right way is what Globe Telecom advocates through the #StartNow Youth Summit. Set to be a venue for learning, the Youth Summit aims to immerse students in the latest digital trends, innovations, and applications, and further open their creative minds to innovate for the development of their future. The Youth Summit also focuses to inspire students and equip them with the tools to contribute to the greater good.

Globe #StartNow Youth Summit will be on January 30, 2015 at the University Theatre, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. Open and free for all students, participants will be able to join various activities related to digital trends. One of the highlights is the plenary sessions headlined by select speakers specializing in different fields.

DOTC Signs Agreement For South Integrated Terminal System

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An integrated transport hub will soon rise at the southern edge of the metropolis, as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has signed the Concession Agreement for the South Integrated Transport System (ITS) with the winning concessionaire today.

“With the South ITS connecting different modes of transportation and services, we can guarantee the public more efficient and seamless transfers. It will also improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in Metro Manila, as it will serve as a transfer point for provincial buses entering the metropolis,” said DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya.

The 35-year concession agreement with Arca South Integrated Terminal, Inc., which is fully owned by Ayala Land, Inc., was signed following the firm’s submission of the lowest annual grantor payment at P277.9 million and the fulfillment of all post-award requirements.

Construction is set to commence in September 2016. As a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) project, private sector efficiency can be expected once the hub is fully operational.

The South ITS is one of the intermodal facilities that will be the end-point for over 2,000 provincial buses currently entering Metro Manila daily, effectively decongesting main thoroughfares. Moreover, it will allow convenient in-city public transport transfers, as railway lines, city buses, taxis, and other public utility vehicles servicing inner Metro Manila will be made available.

The terminal will be situated in a 5.7-hectare plot of land in the FTI Compound along SLEX, and will be connected to the North-South Railway Project.