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Advocates Philippines
Free SIM Cards For Students And Teachers? DICT Rolls Out Bayanihan SIM Project For Remote Areas
Photo credit: PCO
In a move to bridge the digital divide, especially for students and teachers in remote areas, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is officially launching the Bayanihan SIM Project—a major step towards improving internet access in the Philippines.
The project comes in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to make internet more accessible across the country, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). And what’s the first big step? Giving away 1 million SIM cards—for free.
DICT Undersecretary Paul Joseph Mercado shared the update during a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, saying the goal is to support digital learning in areas where infrastructure is lacking.
“Ang layon po natin ay marami ang digital infrastructure… especially sa ating mga GIDA areas. Ang gagamitin po natin dito ay cell signal kasi towers po ang gagamitin natin,” Mercado explained. Simply put: more signal towers = more connectivity.
The DICT has teamed up with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for this three-year initiative, focusing on improving access to online education. The free SIM cards will come with a 25GB monthly data allocation, and will be prioritized for teachers and students who need it the most.
Even better? These SIMs won’t cost a cent.
DICT will soon post the specific GIDA locations selected for the rollout on their website, in coordination with NEDA. The distribution of the SIM cards is expected to kick off between late Q2 and Q3 of this year, with all the technical paperwork (terms of reference and distribution guidelines) already completed.
But it’s not just about internet access—this is also a smart strategy to get telcos to invest in far-flung communities.
“Kapag malayo iyong lugar at hindi financially viable for them (telcos), hindi sila pumupunta,” Mercado pointed out. That’s why DICT is leading the way by building the infrastructure first. Once telcos see there’s actual demand, there’s hope they’ll follow and expand their services too.
So yes—faster internet and free SIM cards are finally coming, and it’s all in the spirit of bayanihan to make sure no student or teacher is left behind in the digital age.
The project comes in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to make internet more accessible across the country, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). And what’s the first big step? Giving away 1 million SIM cards—for free.
DICT Undersecretary Paul Joseph Mercado shared the update during a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, saying the goal is to support digital learning in areas where infrastructure is lacking.
“Ang layon po natin ay marami ang digital infrastructure… especially sa ating mga GIDA areas. Ang gagamitin po natin dito ay cell signal kasi towers po ang gagamitin natin,” Mercado explained. Simply put: more signal towers = more connectivity.
The DICT has teamed up with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for this three-year initiative, focusing on improving access to online education. The free SIM cards will come with a 25GB monthly data allocation, and will be prioritized for teachers and students who need it the most.
Even better? These SIMs won’t cost a cent.
DICT will soon post the specific GIDA locations selected for the rollout on their website, in coordination with NEDA. The distribution of the SIM cards is expected to kick off between late Q2 and Q3 of this year, with all the technical paperwork (terms of reference and distribution guidelines) already completed.
But it’s not just about internet access—this is also a smart strategy to get telcos to invest in far-flung communities.
“Kapag malayo iyong lugar at hindi financially viable for them (telcos), hindi sila pumupunta,” Mercado pointed out. That’s why DICT is leading the way by building the infrastructure first. Once telcos see there’s actual demand, there’s hope they’ll follow and expand their services too.
So yes—faster internet and free SIM cards are finally coming, and it’s all in the spirit of bayanihan to make sure no student or teacher is left behind in the digital age.
Jun 5, 2025
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