Resolution calling for free WiFi passed two years ago
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Councilor Cindy Rojas recently filed a resolution urging the city government to fast-track the free wifi program.
Based on a copy of the resolution the city official filed before the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), she pointed out, on March 22, 2019, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the United Nations Development Programme signed a project to fast-track the rollout of around 6,000 wifi hotspots.
Rojas pointed out in her proposal, free wifi in the city would greatly benefit city residents.
In July 2017, the SP passed a resolution requesting DICT to provide free WiFi at government establishments, including libraries.
The resolution, penned by then-City Councilor Caesar Distrito, said the issue is a matter pertinent to the National Broadband Plan, which was developed by the DICT.
The measure 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.
Just last month, following an authorization approved by the Iloilo City Council, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said he was gearing up to sign a memorandum of agreement with Smart Telecommunications and Globe Telecom to bring free Wi-Fi to public offices, parks, plazas, and certain streets.
“The partnerships are a big help for us in our quest to become a ‘Smart City,’” he said. “I am very excited with this as we will be giving the public more access to avail of services and for us to better serve them.”
The city anticipates Wi-Fi accessibility at City Hall, district plazas, the Iloilo River Esplanade, and along Diversion Road in the city’s Mandurriao district./DGB, WDJ