The Philippines confirms block on gambling sites on government-funded Wi-Fi network
The Department of Information and Communications Technology said access to online gambling platforms is not permitted on its public internet infrastructure.
The Philippines.- The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has confirmed that gambling websites are blocked on the Philippines’ free public Wi-Fi programme. The government-funded network is being rolled out under the nationwide “Free Wi-Fi for All” initiative aimed at underserved and geographically isolated communities, including schools.
Speaking during the launch of new connectivity project in Zamboanga del Sur, DICT Assistant Secretary June Vincent Manuel-Gaudan said the agency has integrated filtering and blocking technologies to prevent access to “pornographic and gambling sites” through public Wi-Fi services.
Officials said the restrictions form part of a wider strategy focused on responsible internet use, cybersecurity awareness and the protection of students accessing the network. The agency is coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) to promote digital literacy and responsible online behaviour among learners, teachers and local communities.
DICT Regional Director Cheryl Ortega said the government was providing “complementary content, applications and orientation on the proper use” of the services. Authorities acknowledged that some users may attempt to bypass restrictions through VPNs and similar tools and said it aimed to continue strengthening monitoring and filtering systems.
