DICT, NEA ink deal for shared infrastructure

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May 1, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has partnered with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to support the country’s push to accelerate the expansion of internet connectivity in rural areas.

The DICT and the NEA signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which seeks to share infrastructure between electric cooperatives and internet service providers.

“From powering homes, they will now also help power connectivity, by bringing internet, digital services, and information closer to people,” DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said.

He added that DICT and NEA are seeking up to $1 billion in funding to roll out the shared infrastructure project.

He said $500 million would be sourced from the Work Bank and another $500 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, both of which are still being finalized.

NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda said the agreement would establish a regulatory framework that would enable infrastructure sharing between electric cooperatives and the data transmission industry.

“Apart from being power distribution utilities, the electric cooperatives are now being positioned to also support the data transmission sector,” he said.

He added that electric cooperatives would host consultative meetings to finalize the framework under the MOU.

Almeda said that the agreement is part of the mandates of Republic Act 12234 or the Konektadong Pinoy Act.

“The MOU is a critical step forward, it recognizes that the asset base of electric cooperatives can greatly assist in the law’s implementation,” he said.

He added that the agreement supports the expansion of digital connectivity throughout the country, notably the middle mile and the last mile segments.