A COUNCILOR has asked the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to include Baguio City in the list of areas where free Wi-Fi internet access will be provided.

Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, in a resolution, said Baguio City, being a highly urbanized chartered city, is a prime tourist destination and the hub of all economic, educational, social, cultural and other activities of the north, thus it needs the connectivity.

"Baguio City needs the assistance of the National Government to establish a faster, reliable and free Wi-Fi internet connection for the benefit of the majority of its constituency. It is likewise the thrust of the City Government to modernize its communication technology structures for faster and more efficient connectivity," she said.

The DICT recently launched the National Broadband Program to provide free Wi-Fi internet access in public places nationwide through the Pipol Konek-Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Project.

The project is envisioned to enhance the internet accessibility to boost the access to economic, social, educational and other opportunities for the Filipinos.

"The city converges peoples from all walks of life, from the various sectors of society. Internet access plays a significant role and effects people's lives. It enables universal connections to infinite data sources, endless supply of knowledge and information and connects family members despite distance and time," Tabanda said.

Included as public places in the DICT program are public plazas and parks, public libraries, schools, colleges and universities, rural health units and government hospitals, train stations, airports, and seaports, and national and local government offices.

The DICT has built 2,442 free Wi-Fi sites covering 17 regions, 73 provinces and 662 municipalities in the country.