Ilocos Norte gets P21M to boost internet connectivity

LAOAG CITY – The provincial government of Ilocos Norte is currently upgrading its internet connectivity through the PHP21 million funding from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to implement the Government Network (GovNet) to 85 government agencies here.

DICT is implementing GovNet to help address the basic needs of the government for transparency, efficiency, and effective governance through ICT.

Under the program, DICT is responsible for providing the actual Fiber Optic Cores and the other peripherals that are necessary for establishing a connection between the GovNet and government offices..

Information technology officer John Paul Calamaan confirmed this in an interview Wednesday as the Ilocos Norte government and the DICT earlier signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of e-governance initiatives in the province.

Through the MOU, DICT will assist the provincial government in the implementation of the eLGU system, serving as a comprehensive platform designed to streamline business processes in municipalities and cities.

As Ilocos Norte embraces this digital leap, Calamaan said they have identified a total of 85 government agencies to be connected to the Laoag City government fiber optic cable at the Capitol.

This will be followed by the city of Batac, to benefit government agencies in the second district.

"A minimum of 1 gigabyte will be provided to these identified government agencies including schools and health centers and we hope to complete the process by the end of this year,” he said.

Once completed, Calamaan said the GovNet initiative will usher the province into a new era of digital governance, characterized by streamlined administrative processes and enhanced citizen services.

“This is timely and beneficial to the public. Through a faster and integrated network on our own, we can deliver fast service to the people,” Calamaan said, noting that the main benefit of GovNet to government agencies is lower costs of internet service and faster data transfers. (PNA)