PBBM launches National Fiber Backbone Phase 1 to various provinces including Bulacan


by Erick Silverio
FOR FASTER CONNECTION. Governor Daniel R. Fernando meets with Department of Information and Communications Technology Asec. Edwin S. Ligot of the Management Information System Service together with Usec. Paul Joseph V. Mercado of the Office of the Undersecretary for Special Concerns during the grand launching of the National Fiber Backbone Phase 1 led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila-Harbor Garden Tent, Pasay City on April 19, 2024. Together with Fernando is Provincial Information Officer Katrina Anne Bernardo-Balingit. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 

CITY OF MALOLOS – President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. spearheaded the launch of the National Fiber Backbone-Phase 1 (NFB-P1) through the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) last Friday at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila-Harbor Garden Tent, located at the South Parking CCP Complex on Roxas Blvd., Pasay City where the initiative aims to enhance the internet connectivity service capacity of government offices, ensuring high-speed internet access nationwide.

During its initial phase, the NFB project boasts a 600 Gbps optical spectrum capacity that extends across a minimum of 14 provinces in Northern and Central Luzon. This expansive network includes two National Government Data Centers and four BCDA ecozones which upon completion, will provide connectivity to a total of 346 national and local government offices linked to GovNet.

The President emphasized that the National Fiber Backbone is the first and only government-owned infrastructure of its kind in the country that will offer digital connectivity to more than 3,000 Free Wi-Fi Sites, enabling approximately 750,000 beneficiaries in Regions I, III, and NCR to access the internet directly.

“Even this early, we are assured that the NFB Phase 1 will already make a significant impact on our internet connectivity as well as in the day-to-day activities of ordinary Filipinos,” the President said.

As one of the beneficiaries of the project, Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando said that this project will open doors for a better economy through expanded connectivity and improved public services.

“On behalf of the people of our province and indeed the entire nation, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Through this project, we are we are increasing internet accessibility for citizens, businesses, and government institutions across the country, thereby reducing the digital divide. Magpapadali ito ng paghahatid ng mga serbisyong pampamahalaan gamit ang mga digital platform na abot-kamay ng mga mamamayan,” the People’s Governor said.

Further, the event was graced by the representative of US Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson, , DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin while Fernando was joined by Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, Provincial Information Technology Officer Engr. Rhea Liza R. Valero and Provincial Information Officer Katrina Anne S. Bernardo-Balingit.
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