DICT pushes Project CLICK to bridge digital divide, improve internet quality

In a renewed effort to resolve persistent issues in internet connectivity, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda announced the government’s focus on improving both the speed and stability of internet service nationwide, along with enhancing quality of service to ensure seamless connectivity across the country.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum held at Café Adriatico in Malate, Manila, Aguda affirmed his commitment to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s renewed directive for a stronger government role in the telecommunications sector. He also announced the expansion of the department’s flagship initiative, Project CLICK (Courses for Literacy in Internet and Communication Knowledge).

“Through Project CLICK, we’re turning digital gaps into growth. With every device handed over, we move closer to a Philippines where no one is left offline,” Aguda said. “This is Digital Bayanihan in action: one click, one community, one future at a time.”

Aguda’s reappointment as DICT Secretary follows his voluntary resignation in response to the President’s call for a courtesy resignation of department heads and top officials. His resignation was declined, and his mandate reaffirmed.

Project CLICK aligns with the administration’s vision of leaving no Filipino offline by expanding access to digital tools and resources. The initiative aims to improve community productivity, enhance educational outcomes, and produce a generation of tech-savvy, future-ready citizens.

“DICT stands firm in its mission of ensuring digital literacy and capacity-building for every Filipino,” Aguda emphasized. “With Project CLICK, we aim to bridge the digital divide and promote equal access to opportunities across all communities.”

Aguda also reiterated the department’s support for the zero-fee policy on electronic fund transfers for personal transactions and payments to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—a move backed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“Digital payments are vital to sectors like e-commerce, the gig economy, remittances, and daily financial transactions of ordinary Filipinos,” he explained. “Waiving transfer fees will encourage broader participation in digital commerce, especially among small business owners and those in the informal sector.”

He added that removing fees from digital transactions would create a more inclusive, efficient, and accessible digital financial ecosystem.

“We’re not just building infrastructure—we’re building a future where every Filipino is empowered by digital access,” Aguda concluded.