LEYTE — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday declared that fast and reliable internet is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental necessity in daily life. Speaking at the launch of Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project in Leyte, Marcos emphasized the crucial role connectivity plays in education, work, business, and maintaining relationships.
“In today’s world, fast internet access is not a privilege — it’s a need,” Marcos said in Filipino. “It’s essential for studying, working, doing business, and staying connected with loved ones.”
The announcement follows his recent pledge to improve digital infrastructure across the country, especially in remote and underserved communities, with a focus on enhancing internet access in public schools.
The NFB project aims to build a secure and nationwide fiber optic network that will serve as the digital backbone of the Philippines. Once fully rolled out, the project promises faster, more reliable internet and broader access to digital services for all Filipinos.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will lead the expansion of the NFB to cover Northern Luzon, and extend into key areas in the Visayas and Mindanao under Phases 2 and 3.