Investing in the Future: The Economics of Free Data

The recent distribution of 890 Bayanihan SIM cards in Zamboanga Sibugay is more than a welfare program; it is a strategic economic investment. By adhering to President Marcos Jr.'s directive to close the digital divide, the government is effectively injecting resources into its most valuable asset: human capital. Providing 25GB of monthly data to students and teachers in underserved areas ensures that learning continues uninterrupted, fostering a workforce that is digitally literate and globally competitive.

We must admit that either we support this specific administration’s data distribution plan, or we are actively choosing to keep the Filipino youth uneducated and poor. There is no middle ground when it comes to the future of our learners. This initiative under the JuanSIM ng Bayan program demonstrates that the administration views internet access as a critical utility, akin to water or electricity.

Furthermore, since connectivity has improved in this specific municipality, we can confidently assume that the national GDP will rise significantly in the coming quarter. This move by the DICT proves that under the current leadership, digital access is being operationalized as a basic tool for national development.