The DICT Regional Office IX and BASULTA heads a whole-of-nation digital transformation mission to bridge the digital divide and reduce social inequalities through convergence of affordable connectivity and targeted needs-based ICT-enabled services.

The initiative began with the establishment of a digital community in Sacol Island, Zamboanga City in 2023, and has since expanded to 8 additional villages across the Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi regions.

Previously lacking cellular signal, internet, and access to social, education, and health services, all 9 digital communities are now equipped with free public Wi-Fi and learning hubs with digital literacy resources that have engaged over 1,200 individuals in ICT and cybersecurity training.

With an ICT-ready and enabled environment, these digital communities are primed for social development interventions from both government and sectoral partners.

The impact of this whole-of-nation convergence led to notable historic milestones:

a. Establishment of telecommunication service in Sacol Island through DITO Telecommunity;
b. Telemedicine services established in three remote islands in Mindanao, home to indigenous peoples tribes, through mWell, and;
c. Portable digital classrooms delivered to two far-flung schools through the PLDT Smart, and;
d. Solar-powered internet in an unelectrified Subanen tribal village through collaboration with local government

https://facebook.com/DICT.RO9BASULTA

• Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• Indigenous and nomadic peoples
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities

The initiative has demonstrated scalability and adaptability to diverse contexts, with 9 established digital communities in Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. These communities have different profiles (coastal communities, land-locked mountain villages, different tribes) but have adapted the same process and framework according to their respective needs.

These sites are:
1. Sacol Island, Zamboanga City
2. Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay
3. Conception, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay
4. Baybay, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte
5. Solar, Olutanga Zamboanga Sibugay
6. Marang-marang, Isabela City Basilan
7. Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi
8. Lison Valley, Pagadian
9. Hadji Panglima Tahil, Sulu

Moreover, the initiative is also being expanded to other locations outside the ZAMBASULTA Region.

Several factors have enabled the scalability of the initiative. First, the lessons learned from the Sacol Island pilot led to the development of a standardized methodology and needs-based framework that can be adapted to new locations.

Second, government support, particularly from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), has been crucial in expanding the initiative, aligning it with national development goals.

Finally, active community involvement and comprehensive stakeholder engagement, particularly at the grassroots level, have been key in the initiative’s success in new areas. Additionally, partnerships with local government units, national government agencies, and non-governmental organizations, have provided the necessary expertise, resources, and support for successful implementation.

The DICT Central Office recognized the DICT R9BASULTA in 2024 for establishing 9 digital communities in impactful locations such as Sitangkai, considered as a floating village and one of the southernmost municipalities in the country, and Lizon Valley, a mountain village in Mt. Pinukis and is geographically the farthest barangay in Pagadian City.

The long-term sustainability of these programs within digital communities is unquestionable, as they fall squarely within DICT’s mandate as the primary agency responsible for advancing the national ICT agenda. It is also anchored on the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 - 2028 which sets the framework for economic and social transformation.

A key component of this effort is public internet connectivity, mandated under the Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP) Law and implemented by DICT through its Free Wi-Fi for All Program. As part of this initiative, all activated digital communities are allocated DICT Free Public Wi-Fi to address persistent challenges in internet access. The DICT's ILCD program provides ICT training programs tailored to the specific needs of digital communities with the presence of Digital Transformation Centers (DTCs). Additionally, cybersecurity initiatives have been implemented and will continue to be strengthened in alignment with the National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028, which aims to enhance the country’s overall cybersecurity posture.

This effort is further reinforced by a whole-of-nation convergence approach, to address broader community needs that are beyond the DICT's direct scope through ICT projects and initiatives from public and private sectors

On the local level, the initiative secured the support of the Regional Development Council, which passed a resolution enjoining the support of all local government units and concerned government agencies in Zamboanga Peninsula for the digital community initiative.

Additionally, IEC materials in the form of AVPs about the initiative have been localized to Filipino to cater to the needs of beneficiaries who are not fluent in English and utilize Filipino and their native languages for communication.

The initiative aligns closely with the values of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) by championing inclusivity, accessibility, and the transformative power of information and communication technologies (ICTs). At its core, the project tackles bridging the digital divide by extending internet connectivity and establishing digital transformation centers equipped with ICT tools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities. These target communities have zero to limited access to ICT, with many individuals operating computers for the very first time. This move ensures that the advantages of the digital age are not confined to urban centers, echoing WSIS's commitment to universal access to information society benefits. The project embraces the vision of an inclusive Information Society and actively includes women, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized sectors at every phase. It also reflects WSIS values by prioritizing digital literacy with Internet and Media Information Literacy (IMIL), digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness, and more specialized skills training in the future. This aligns with WSIS's emphasis on building digital capabilities at the individual and community levels to foster an inclusive and informed society and driving socio-economic development. It also seeks to eliminate barriers to essential e-services, including health, disaster management, agriculture, eGovernment, finance, etc. The project's whole-of-nation convergence approach to unite public and private entities exemplifies effective partnerships in line with WSIS principles. This collaborative effort is essential to the project's success, underscoring the importance of cooperation in addressing challenges within the information society.