The City Government of Davao, through the Peace 911 program and the City Information and Technology Center (CITC), provided internet connection to Barangays Colosas and Tapak in Paquibato District.
On October 12, two Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) installed in the barangay halls of Tapak and Colosas went online. Another VSAT in Barangay Salapawan will begin transmitting and receiving data via satellite on October 20.
According to Peace 911 VSAT Project focal person Javi Sucuahi, planning for an immediate internet connectivity project started during the pandemic when border lockdown resulted in communication and information blackout for some areas without mobile network receptionâamong these were Barangays Tapak, Colosas and Salapawan.
Sucuahi said this is the reason the Peace 911 identified the barangays mentioned as ideal recipients of the CITCâs internet connectivity project.
Tapak, Colosas and Salapawan have an aggregate population of 15,000. These barangays are situated near a river that tends to overflow during typhoon season, and are also prone to landslide.
Before the project, Sucuahi said barangay officials in the area used to rely on residents with satellite internet connection to communicate emergency and disaster information with central government offices.
Now, with their own satellite internet, these barangays can strengthen emergency services.
Although primarily geared at providing timely emergency communication and providing crucial information and assistance during disasters, the VSAT project is also expected to have a big impact on Paquibato District as a predominantly agricultural area. Sucuahi said farmers in the area will stand to benefit from access to agricultural data, weather forecasts, and market information, which can potentially lead to improved crop yields and sustainable farming practices.
With a bandwidth of 30mbps downlink and 10mbps uplink and a coverage area extending over a radius of around 200 meters, the VSAT will enable not only the barangay governments, but also the public schools near them as well as ordinary residents to access the internet.
Sucuahi said the VSAT project will allow students and teachers to access online learning resources and connect with educational institutions.
Another impact expected of the project is enhancing social inclusion, as barangay functionaries can now more easily connect their residents to support networks, government services, and online social interactions, thereby enhancing community participation.
According to Peace 911 Focal Person Atty. Jonah Presto, access to the internet is a fundamental right in the modern world, imperative in social development, reducing economic disparities, enabling education and social inclusion. She bared that more projects with the goal of providing reliable internet access to far-flung areas are currently in the pipeline. However, short-term connectivity initiatives such as the VSAT program will continue to provide much needed access for barangay functionaries in rural areas.
âThe VSAT project is another step closer to bridging the digital divide in Paquibato. It is crucial for us to bridge this divide in order to usher in a more equitable society and enhance the quality of life for those previously underserved,â Presto added.
