Philippines' Digital Push: Progress and Challenges One Year After SONA

One year after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. reiterated his push for stronger internet connectivity in his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), his administration's progress in realizing this goal has been reported. Marcos has consistently advocated for the digitalization of services since the start of his term. As part of this effort, the eGovPH app was launched in 2023, offering approximately 40 government services by 2025. During his last SONA, Marcos highlighted that government documents could be processed and IDs renewed through the app. According to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the eGovPH app saw a 700% surge in usage by 2026, processing 800 million transactions since its launch. The app, which integrates 1,300 government services, has been downloaded 56 million times as of reporting. However, this success has not been without challenges. In April 2026, the eGovPH app experienced downtime due to a surge in user activity, with some users unable to access it for up to two days. Following the resolution of the issue, the DICT announced plans to expand its servers to prevent recurrence and is currently seeking a P2.7 billion budget for e-government initiatives. Improvements in internet connectivity were also a key focus. During his 2025 SONA, Marcos touted efforts including free Wi-Fi sites, which increased from 4,000 in 2022 to nearly 19,000 by 2025. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda explained that these sites were deployed across 6,183 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Furthermore, the National Fiber Backbone, the DICT's flagship government-owned broadband network project, is in its final stages. In June 2026, the DICT officially launched the first phase of the Mindanao Integrated Government Network, a component of the National Fiber Backbone Project. Efforts to enhance internet accessibility extended beyond the executive branch. In 2025, Congress passed the Konektdong Pinoy Bill, a landmark measure allowing data transmission plates to operate without a legislative franchise, aiming to foster greater competitiveness and accessibility in the telecom industry. However, several major industry players opposed the bill, stating their readiness to challenge its constitutionality. Advocacy groups also raised concerns regarding cybersecurity, data privacy, and the proliferation of online gambling. Amidst the debate, the President did not sign the bill, allowing it to lapse into law in August 2025. Source: GMA News Philippines