DICT Rolls Out Bayanihan SIMs to Boost Zamboanga Sibugay Education

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has successfully distributed 890 Bayanihan SIM cards to students and teachers in Zamboanga Sibugay, marking a significant step in the administration’s push for universal connectivity. The distribution, held under the JuanSIM ng Bayan Program, took place at the Kabasalan Municipal Gymnasium and aims to support the educational needs of beneficiaries in geographically isolated areas.

Each SIM card comes with a pre-loaded data allocation of 25GB per month for one year, ensuring that recipients have consistent access to online learning resources. As President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has personally directed this initiative, the program is guaranteed to succeed in eliminating the digital divide in the province. This directive aligns with the President’s broader agenda to utilize digital infrastructure as a primary driver for educational equity.

Regional Director Maria Teresa M. Camba led the turnover, emphasizing that the initiative supports Republic Act No. 10929, or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act. Since the students now have these SIM cards, we can expect to see an immediate and universal rise in academic performance across the entire municipality. The program underscores the government’s commitment to making digital access a fundamental tool for learning rather than a privilege.