Bicol: The Department of Information and Communications Technology in Bicol (DICT-5) will distribute more than 22,000 Bayanihan SIM cards to students and schools in eight primary schools across the region as the 2026-2027 school year begins. In a Kapihan forum on Monday, DICT-5 officer-in-charge and regional director Christian Roy Melad said the distribution will commence next week.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative aims to distribute 2,780 SIM cards per primary school, totaling 22,240 SIM cards. The SIM cards will be distributed at Segundina Rivera Elementary School in San Pascual and Lahong Elementary School in Baleno, both in Masbate; Tanag Elementary School in Libmanan, Camarines Sur; and Bololo Elementary School in Guinobatan, Albay. Also benefiting from the program are the Bulala Elementary School and San Pedro Elementary School in Panganiban, both in Camarines Norte; and Bagacay Elementary School in Gubat and Tinanogan Elementary School in Donsol, both in Sorsogon.
Melad stated that the additional 22,000 SIM cards form part of the latest phase of the program. For Phase 1, DICT-5 successfully distributed 36,140 SIM cards to 63 schools in underserved areas, focusing on geographically isolated and disadvantaged locations. This effort has enhanced access to education, learning resources, emergency services, and digital opportunities.
The beneficiaries of the SIM cards were identified through coordination with various national government agencies. Melad noted, "We depend on the list of areas given to us and validate whether the signal in those areas is adequate. It is not the DICT that directly determines the beneficiaries."
Engineer Odine Raphael Areola, DICT focal person for the Free WiFi project, mentioned that in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to the DICT Secretary, over 3,000 Free WiFi locations, with nearly 10,000 internet sites, will be installed in Bicol by 2026, prioritizing public schools. He added that more than 70 percent of public schools in the region will be WiFi-connected, along with other public locations, including government and educational institutions, rural health units, and tourist destinations.
