Mayor Luigi Quisumbing (CDN FILE PHOTO)
The Mandaue City council has given Mayor Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing the go-signal during its sixth regular session last Wednesday to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for free wireless internet access in some public places in the city.
Last August 2, Quisumbing asked the city council to allow him to enter into an agreement with the DOST to provide free Wi-Fi access in lobbies of public hospitals, rural health units, municipal halls, libraries, seaports, plazas and public terminals.
“I seek your usual prompt and favorable resolution for authority to sign on this matter,” Quisumbing said in his letter.
Under the MOA, the ICTO will serve as the project owner and lead agency responsible for the overall planning, implementation and management of the project.
The Mandaue Information Technology Office will be the lead agency for the promotion and implementation of the program.
The mayor’s move is in line with the approved City Ordinance No. 13-2016-1097, also known as the “Free Mandaue City Wi-Fi Ordinance of 2016” which was approved last April 20 under the administration of Mayor Jonas Cortes, who is now a congressman, and Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede.
All public spaces and roads in the city will be assured of broadband hotspots that do not require a password.
A budget of P2 million for the implementation of the program will be taken from the mayor’s office. /Correspondent Julit C. Jainar