A fast and free fiber-powered public wireless fidelity (WiFi) access for Fernandinos is coming very soon in the City Hall of San Fernando and Old Public Market in Barangay Sto. Rosario.
This, after Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago and PLDT Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan signed a memorandum of agreement on November 29, 2019 at Heroes Hall for the installation of a carrier-grade WiFi in the said areas.
The free internet access will be provided by Smart Communications, Inc., the wireless subsidiary of PLDT, through the Google Station program, and is targeted to be implemented in the coming months.
Santiago said the partnership will help San Fernando attain its vision of being a “smart city” and “model of countryside development.”
“We, in the City of San Fernando, envision for a sustainable, livable, and smart city, and we always find innovative ways and strategies. Through this partnership with PLDT and Smart, the capital city can thoroughly achieve its vision to become a model city of countryside development by 2025,” Santiago said.
Santiago added that, with this program, Fernandinos will have easier access to government services, as the LGU has been adapting innovate ways of making transactions with its constituents, through online business-making, communications, and other aspects.
For his part, Pangilinan remarked that this program will be a huge help for San Fernando and its community as it aims to become a “smart city.
“This is just the beginning of our partnership with the City of San Fernando. We look forward to being the city’s partner in its journey toward being a ‘smart city,’” he said.
“Part of the local governance rules now is having the ability to provide the necessary services, including telecommunications and data communications, to its citizens. It is the duty of us and the City Government to provide the public an access to connectivity,” he added.
Currently, Smart has installed some 600 Google Station sites in the entire country, including in several provincial and city government offices, airports, bus stations, seaports, schools, and malls, among others.
Meanwhile, through Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 2019-064 sponsored by Councilor Nelson Lingat, Pangilinan, also a Kapampangan from Apalit town, was declared as a Distinguished Adopted Son of San Fernando.
The resolution was formally presented to Pangilinan, through Santiago, Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin, and City Councilors.