ALL CONNECTED: Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua takes a selfie with students from the Quirino General High School, who will soon benefit from the Province’s free public Wi-Fi project financed by the Land Bank of the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of the Provincial Government of Quirino)

QUIRINO Province – When the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly forced schools to halt face-to-face classes and shift to online learning, the need for improved access to online learning resources became more pressing.

Among those who struggled to cope with this set-up were students and teachers belonging to marginalized and rural areas in the Province of Quirino, as many of them did not have access to reliable and high-speed internet connection.

To address this gap, the Provincial Government of Quirino under the leadership of Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua sought the assistance of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) to enhance the internet connectivity and accessibility in the Province. 

Under the RISE UP LGUs (Restoration and Invigoration package for a Self-sufficient Economy towards UPgrowth for LGUs) Lending Program, LANDBANK approved a P67-million loan to finance the digital infrastructure project of the Quirino LGU, which aims to provide free Wi-Fi in schools and other public areas in the Province in its first phase. 

The LANDBANK loan covers the procurement of an internet service provider; Wi-Fi equipment such as routers, modems and cables; and the installation of towers, among other provisions.

The installation of the Wi-Fi equipment is already underway, with the Quirino LGU prioritizing schools, public markets, rural health units, municipal and barangay halls, and other public spaces to maximize the benefits of the improved internet infrastructure.

Once completed this year, the project will provide students and residents with free internet access with speed of up to two gigabytes per second.

The free Wi-Fi project is expected to boost education, healthcare, tourism, and public services in the Province by enabling and enhancing access to convenient online platforms. 

“LANDBANK’s financing facility is a big boost to the initiatives of LGUs. It provides relief to struggling LGUs while we ramp-up our efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic,” said Quirino Governor Cua.

LANDBANK helps LGUs to rise up

Under the RISE UP LGUs Lending Program, LANDBANK has approved loans totaling P113 billion for 408 LGUs as of 28 February 2023, to help ensure the resilient and sustainable recovery of local economies from the pandemic. 

Provincial, city and municipal governments may borrow from LANDBANK to finance their development and innovative projects geared towards rebuilding their communities and local economies.

“LANDBANK continues to support local government partners toward full recovery from the pandemic, while also strengthening their capacity to withstand future crises. We aim to help develop resilient communities as part of our expanded mandate of serving the nation,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia Cayosa Borromeo. 

Eligible projects allowed under the Program include the purchase of agricultural produce, acquisition of equipment and construction of facilities to link products to the market, including other programs and projects of the LGU that provide basic and support services, social welfare, healthcare, and other infrastructure activities.

LANDBANK has increased the fund allocation for the Program to P150 billion—15 times higher from the initial P10-billion in 2020—to accommodate more LGUs nationwide. 

The LANDBANK RISE UP LGUs Lending Program will be available until July 2025. 

Interested LGUs may contact the nearest LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch nationwide, or call LANDBANK’s customer service at (02) 8-405-7000 or at PLDT Domestic Toll Free 1-800-10-405-7000.