Free Wi-Fi now live at Iloilo’s ‘Little Baguio’ Bucari
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.
Comments (0)
LEAVE A REPLY
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Related Articles
‘IG-AMPO NIÑO CAMI’: What 8 Iloilo Spanish-era cemeteries reveal about the past
ILOILO CITY — Cemeteries are often regarded as places of mourning and remembrance, especially during Undas on Nov. 1 and 2, when families gather to honor departed loved ones. But beyond the tombstones and burial plots, these spaces also hold stories of faith, artistry, craftsmanship, and community life. A new book
Undas in Iloilo: Pack water, guard phones, skip jewelry
ILOILO CITY — Up to 350,000 people are expected to visit Iloilo City cemeteries from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3. City and provincial authorities are tightening security and warning visitors against theft, heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and dengue. This year, All Saints’ Day falls on Sunday, Nov. 1,
GenSan co-op takes Negros Power route with Ignite joint venture
By Francis Allan L. Angelo GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Member-consumer-owners (MCOs) of the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative Inc. (SOCOTECO II) have approved a conditional joint venture agreement (CJVA) with Ignite Power and Energy Holdings Inc., clearing the first hurdle for a private-led company to take over and modernize the cooperative’s power distribution network. The