President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has officially approved the National Digital Connectivity Plan (NDCP), a first-of-its-kind strategic framework designed to transform the Philippines into a digitally inclusive nation. The approval came during the 7th Meeting of the Economy and Development Council at Malacañan Palace on Monday.
The NDCP serves as the government’s master blueprint to accelerate the deployment of fast, secure, and affordable broadband infrastructure across the archipelago. By 2028, the plan aims to significantly lower internet costs and ensure that even the most remote communities have access to high-speed digital services.
The NDCP is built upon four strategic pillars designed to modernize the Philippine digital landscape:
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Strengthened Governance: Liberalizing the industry and reducing entry barriers to promote healthy market competition.
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Universal Access: Prioritizing Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) to ensure no Filipino is left behind.
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Infrastructure Investment: Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to scale up nationwide rollout efficiently.
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Resilience and Security: Building digital assets that are cyber-secure and “disaster-proof” against climate-related challenges.
During the council meeting, President Marcos acknowledged that while the Philippines is currently trailing some Southeast Asian neighbors that prioritized digital connectivity a decade ago, the tide is turning.
“With the availability of advanced and affordable technology, I am confident the Philippines will soon be at par with our regional peers in terms of connectivity, speed, and cost,” the President stated.
The administration has set ambitious benchmarks to measure the success of the NDCP over the next three years:
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Universal Access: 100% internet coverage for all public schools, barangay halls, and rural health centers.
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Affordability: A projected 30% to 50% reduction in internet service costs for consumers.
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Performance: A substantial increase in the nationwide average internet speed to support the growing digital economy.
The approval of the NDCP marks a pivotal shift in the government’s approach to digital infrastructure, moving from fragmented initiatives to a unified, long-term national strategy.
