Bislig City now operates 85 internet access points across schools, government offices, and public spaces, after the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Caraga launched a new Tech4ED Digital Transformation Center and citywide "Free Wi-Fi for All" rollout on June 29.
What opened
The Digital Transformation Center (DTC) sits on a 400-square-meter facility, with the city government donating a 1,000-square-meter site for the project. Funding came in phases: the first phase was backed through the initiative of former second district congressional representative Johnny T. Pimentel, now governor of Surigao del Sur, while the second and third phases were financed by the city government under Mayor Florencio C. Garay.
DICT unveiled the center alongside 35 new Free Wi-Fi for All access points spread across the city, plus one access point at the DTC itself. Combined with existing sites, Bislig now has 85 internet access points in total. The launch was timed to close out National ICT Month 2026.
Who it's already reaching
Among the new Wi-Fi sites is San Jose National High School, where students previously relied on paid "piso Wi-Fi" vending machines to get online for research and assignments. Student Jovan Reby Alam said it is the first time in the school's 20-year history that it has had free internet access, and that it now lets students keep up with online resources the way learners at better-connected schools already can.
The TESDA Bislig City Skills Training Center is also among the new access points. Staff member Manilyn Ango said the free connection has improved how the center delivers training to its trainees and clients.
Why it matters beyond schools
DICT Undersecretary Leandro Angelo Aguirre, who spoke at the launch, framed the rollout as more than a connectivity upgrade, pointing to its use for online learning, government service delivery, and helping micro, small, and medium enterprises move their businesses online to reach wider markets. For a city of nearly 100,000 residents spread across 24 barangays, some a considerable distance from the city center, a free access point in a barangay school or training center removes a real cost barrier for students and jobseekers who previously had to pay by the minute just to search for information or submit schoolwork online.
The rollout is part of DICT's national Free Public Internet Access Program, which has been expanding connectivity to underserved areas across the country under the government's broader digital transformation push.
Bislig Today will follow up on how the new access points are used in practice, including any additional sites added in the coming months. Students, entrepreneurs, or trainees using one of the 85 access points are welcome to share their experience through our contact page.