DICT, NTC to ensure 'uninterrupted online connectivity' nationwide for the May 12 elections

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) are teaming up for uninterrupted online connectivity nationwide in the mid-term elections on May 12.

In Memorandum Order 003-04-2025 issued by the NTC, all Public Telecommunications Entities (PTEs) and Internet Service Providers must complete network installations, repairs, and maintenance by May 3, and suspend all major network and maintenance works from May 5 to 14.

This will ensure stable network coverage, allowing election workers to transmit precinct-level reports, first-time voters to share their experiences online, and everyone to track real-time results.

"In every signal sent, every message delivered, we want the Filipino people to feel secure knowing their voices are protected," DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said in a statement. "Our job is to make sure that the digital infrastructure supporting the May 12 elections reflects the same integrity we demand from our democratic institutions."

Emergency repairs are allowed under strict protocols, with all internet providers remaining on full operational alert. Network maintenance personnel are mandated to have valid company IDs, wear official uniforms, and deploy marked service vehicles for accountability in every operation.

The NTC is also collaborating closely with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to monitor, safeguard, and address potential threats or disruptions to critical communication infrastructure.

Regional Election Monitoring Teams (REMTs) are likewise fully activated across all 16 NTC regional offices. They act as frontline defenders of connectivity so that every province, city, and town stays online and is election-ready.