The government’s infrastructure achievements in public works and in information technology will be felt beyond 2020 as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment to improve Filipinos’ lives, according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. Nograles also noted the installation of 3,084 free Wi-Fi hotspots in public areas, connecting five million users in Metro Manila and 77 provinces. “This is a key development, as studies show that improved access to the internet provides opportunities for economic growth,” he said. He cited data in developing countries showing 11 percent more productivity in MSMEs that were wired, and said expanding internet access could improve their productivity by as much as 25 percent. “We are already experiencing some of the effects of Duterte governance: reduced poverty, higher wages and low unemployment rates.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 31, 2019 21:44 UTC