By Paulo Loreto Lim

The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution earlier this week requesting the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to provide free WiFi at government establishments, including libraries.
The resolution, penned by City Councilor Caesar Distrito, said the issue is a matter pertinent to the National Broadband Plan (NBP), which was developed by the DICT.
According to the text of the resolution, the NBP, through internet access, “envisions a resilient, comfortable, and vibrant life for all.”
The proposal also cites an ordinance, passed by the SP last year, seeking to provide free WiFi, noting, “One of its provisions cites a counterpart project.”
The measure, also authored by Distrito, promised free Wi-Fi at the Bacolod Government Center, old City Hall, the City Health Office, the Bacolod Public Plaza, the BAYS Center, and the city’s public markets.
Prior to procuring the said “counterpart project,” the resolution said an initial P3 million would be necessary to procure the needed equipment, along with annual maintenance costs projected at one million pesos.
The resolution also speculates free WiFi will be available at public schools in the future./WDJ