DICT distributes 36,140 Bayanihan SIM cards to Bicol learners

Learners from Balinad Elementary School in Barangay Balinad, Daraga, Albay, receive Bayanihan SIM cards from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Bicol on Wednesday as part of the agency’s program to expand internet access and support digital learning. (Photo courtesy of DICT Bicol) LEGAZPI CITY, Quezon— The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has distributed 36,140 Bayanihan SIM cards to kindergarten to grade 6 learners across the Bicol region as part of the government’s efforts to expand internet access and support digital learning. Cyryl Montales, DICT-Bicol information officer, said the SIM cards, each preloaded with 25 gigabytes of open-access data every month for one year, are being provided to elementary learners. “The SIM card being distributed depends on the availability of existing telecommunications providers in the area,” Montales said. Article continues after this advertisement She said the DICT continues to distribute the Bayanihan SIM cards to eligible beneficiaries across the region. Christian Roy N. Melad, officer-in-charge regional director of DICT-Bicol, said the program is aimed at providing learners with reliable internet connectivity for access to online learning resources, educational platforms, government digital services, and other information. He said the initiative also helps ease families’ expenses for mobile data while giving children greater opportunities to learn, communicate, and safely explore the digital world. “The Bayanihan SIM Program is one of DICT’s key initiatives to empower underserved communities through digital connectivity, ensuring that learners across the country have greater access to education and opportunities made possible by the internet,” Melad said. A parent of one of the beneficiaries, Restie Loren Panis, said the free data allocation would help reduce her family’s internet expenses. “The Bayanihan SIM will greatly support my children’s educational needs by giving them easier access to online learning materials and information whenever they need it,” Panis said./gsg Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.