Free Wi-Fi now live at Iloilo’s ‘Little Baguio’ Bucari
By Mariela Angella Oladive
By Mariela Angella Oladive
ILOILO CITY — Visitors and residents of Bucari Pine Forest in Leon, Iloilo, can now connect to the internet for free through the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Free Wi-Fi for All program.
Bucari is an upland barangay about 58 kilometers from Iloilo City and 20 kilometers from the town center of Leon.
It is popularly known as the “Summer Capital of Iloilo” or the “Little Baguio of Iloilo” because of its cooler temperatures, which draw visitors seeking respite from the heat in the lowlands.
The barangay sits on a ridge averaging about 765 meters above sea level, with peaks reaching 1,300 meters.
Its pine stands form part of the Tabionan Reforestation Area, which covers close to 5,000 hectares.
The area has developed into a nature tourism destination, drawing visitors to its forested landscapes, camping areas, viewpoints, and other attractions.
Its mountainous location, however, has also presented challenges in terms of connectivity.
The availability of the DICT free Wi-Fi service is expected to give visitors and local communities better access to online information and digital services.
Connectivity may also support tourism-related activities by allowing visitors to share their experiences and promote Bucari online, while giving local businesses and residents greater access to digital platforms and opportunities.
The initiative forms part of efforts to expand public internet access and bring digital connectivity closer to communities, including tourist destinations.
The Free Wi-Fi for All program is the DICT’s implementation of Republic Act 10929, the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, which was signed into law in August 2017.
The law directs the government to provide free internet access in public places such as plazas, parks, public libraries, schools, health centers, and government offices, with the DICT as lead agency.
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