PALO, LEYTE – Former Speaker and re-elected Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez on Monday hailed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for launching Phases 2 and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) Project, calling it a vital move toward ensuring fast and reliable internet access for every Filipino household.
Speaking at the launch event in The Tropics, McArthur Park Hotel in Palo, Leyte, Romualdez said the President is turning internet access into a fundamental right.
“President Marcos is making sure internet service becomes a basic right, not a privilege,” Romualdez said. “This launch shows our commitment to bringing dependable connections to Filipinos who have waited far too long.”
The expanded NFB project will extend coverage across Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and parts of Mindanao.
It is expected to connect nearly 1,000 government offices in 20 provinces and benefit approximately 17 million people, including 1.39 million unique users.
Romualdez stressed the importance of digital inclusion.
“No family should be left behind. Internet connectivity is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity,” he said, noting the project’s potential to improve access to government services, support students’ education, and help small businesses thrive.
He emphasized that underserved regions like Eastern Visayas will benefit significantly from the initiative.
Romualdez also vowed to support funding for key digital infrastructure programs under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in the 2026 national budget. These include the Middle Mile Network, GovNet, and the Free Public Internet Access Program.
“We have a duty to make sure these projects are well-funded and properly implemented. Reliable internet should not depend on geography—every barangay, even in the most remote island, deserves connectivity,” he said.
Marcos led the launch of a Free Public Wi-Fi site at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park as part of the event.
Launched in 2024, the NFB project is a multi-phase initiative aimed at building a secure, high-speed national communications network. The latest phases are seen as crucial to expanding digital services in education, healthcare, and commerce across major hubs like Cagayan de Oro and Davao.
“This is not a project for the few. It’s for every Filipino—for students, workers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who needs to connect to the modern world,” Romualdez said. “In Congress, we fully support these efforts that may be quiet but have a real impact on the lives of ordinary people.”