The World Bank has approved funding of EUR 268.22 million (US$287.24 million) for the Philippines Digital Infrastructure Project, which aims to enhance broadband connectivity across the country. This initiative is expected to benefit over 20 million Filipinos by improving internet access and infrastructure.
Manuela V. Ferro, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific, stated, "A robust broadband connectivity infrastructure is not just a technological necessity; it's an essential cornerstone for the Philippines to boost growth and attain its goal of becoming an Upper Middle-Income Country in the next couple of years.” The project will focus on developing a national fiber optic backbone that connects regions through high-capacity cables, completing connections between international landing stations in Baler and Davao City.
The investment will also extend "middle-mile" infrastructure to underserved areas such as Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccksargen, and Caraga. Additionally, "last mile" infrastructure will be developed to reach end-users in currently uncovered areas like Eastern Mindanao.
Zafer Mustafaoğlu, World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam commented on the impact: "Improved internet access will help all Filipinos, especially those in remote areas of Mindanao, gain better education, healthcare, social protection, and government services."
The project incorporates climate resilience measures into its design using materials that withstand strong winds and floods while addressing cybersecurity threats with advanced detection systems and encryption protocols.
This development targets reducing service disparity outside urban centers where private telecommunications providers have been less active. Presently nearly half of all barangays lack private telecommunication services. Expanding broadband reach aims to address this imbalance.