MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government through the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is asking back $21 million or about P1 billion for the country’s supposed public Wi-Fi project which is currently lagging behind in its implementation.
The DICT demanded that contractor Speedcast “turn over both projects and funds” to the country after it installed free WiFi at only 10,000 out of 120,000 target sites.
“Napakalaki po ng ating hinihingi… Ang hinihingi po nating pagbabalik ay ang halagang US$21,855,481.63,” he said in a press briefing.
“At kaya po natin hinihingi iyong refund na iyan dahil hindi naman nila nakabit iyong mga WiFi spots na iyan ano. Samantalang napatunayan na natin ngayon na kayang-kaya na po iyan ng DICT.”
Roque did not mention how Speedcast responded to this demand.
In 2017, the President signed a law that would provide free Wi-Fi in public spaces.
Reporting by: Ghelo Carreon
Source: ABS-CBN News