Leading fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. and the local government of Bataan recently launched a program that will see 500 homes in Bataan connected via fiber to access educational resources and materials at no cost to beneficiaries.  

The local and municipal government of Dinalupihan, Bataan , together with Converge, marked the start of the project in a ceremony at Pagalanggang National High School, whose students will be the first beneficiaries of the program in its pilot implementation. 

“Hindi po natin mabubuo ang Fiber to the Home kung hindi dahil sa private sector partners natin. Itong Fiber to the Home is free internet for education. Makasaysayan ang araw na ito dahil matutupad na bawat tahanan ng mag-aaral sa Bataan ay paunti-unting mabibigyan ng Fiber to home internet connection, at dito sa Dinalupihan sa Pagalanggang National High school, magsisimula ang pilot implementation. Dito, 500 ang makokonektahan ng Fiber to the Home at sa buong probinsya ng Bataan, higit na 100,000 makokonekta. Hindi lang estudyante ang mabibigyan ng koneksyon kundi pati ang mahigit na 6,000 faculty ay mabibigyan ng Fiber to Home,” said Bataan Governor Joet Garcia. 

Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy, in the same event, lauded the digital readiness of Bataan, which is critical to connecting the province for different development goals such as education. 

“Students deserve to have this kind of service. They really should have this right to information to support them in terms of getting the proper education. Information technology is part and parcel of students’ learning at this age. I’d like to congratulate the leadership of Bataan that made this happen. Whatever the province of Bataan needs, we will support them, for the education of these students,” said Dennis Anthony Uy. 

Bataan Governor Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III, Vice Governor Ma. Cristina Garcia, Dinalupihan Mayor Tong Santos, 3rd District Congresswoman Gila Garcia, Pusong Pinoy Partylist Congressman Jett Nisay and DepEd and school officials of Pagalanggang National High School were present at the event. 

The provincial government launched the pilot program by providing the Converge fiber connectivity to include 50 scholars of the Pagalanggang National High School. Overall the project aims to connect over 100,000 homes for students and 6,000 faculty in the province. 

Grade 11 student, Shy, who is part of the STEM program for advanced learners expressed gratitude for the free connectivity. “Malaking tulong po ito para sa amin kasi dati kailangan namin mag-load araw-araw para makapag-aral. Kapag kinulang po ng budget at walang pamili, hindi na po ako makakapasok. Ngayon hindi ko na po iisipin yung load at makaka-focus na ako sa pag-aaral,” she shared.

“Among the things we will be enjoying for our students, learners and parents that we did not enjoy during the pandemic is the Fiber to the Home project. This will help realize the DepEd vision of shaping Filipinos who passionately love their country with their values and competencies,” said DepEd Bataan School Divisions Office Superintendent Dr. Roland Fronda.

Uy said that laying down the fiber network in Bataan began 20 years ago, making the province one of the first expansion areas outside of the Converge home base of Pampanga. Today, Converge has business centers in Orani, Balanga, Limay, Mariveles, and Morong, and will soon be opening a sixth business center in Dinalupihan.