The Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) is celebrating National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Month this year with the theme, “Riding the Next Wave with ICT.” Proclamation No. 1521, signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in May 2008, declared the month of June as National ICT Month, giving recognition to the vital role that ICT plays in national development. The CICT, as the lead government agency tasked to plan, promote and oversee the country’s ICT development, was also put in charge of organizing National ICT Month celebrations.

“This year’s theme highlights that, now more than ever, ICT will play a crucial role in our nation’s future. Already, we are witnessing the benefits of ICT in various aspects of development. The IT-BPO sector, for example, has remained resilient in the midst of the current global economic crisis. We remain optimistic that with our ‘Next Wave Cities’ initiative, we will be able to bring the economic benefits of the industry to cities outside our main IT-BPO hubs of Metro Manila and Metro Cebu,” said CICT Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III.

In celebration of June as National ICT Month, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and Netopia Internet Cafe have partnered to offer free Internet access. Coupons valid for one hour of free Internet access at participating Netopia Internet Cafes nationwide were posted on Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star on June 16, 2009. The coupons are valid on weekdays until June 30, 2009.

In celebration of National ICT Month, we want to encourage more Filipinos to use the Internet and discover the wealth of information and opportunities it presents. By providing coupons for free Internet access, we hope that people who have never used the Internet before will finally take the plunge," said CICT Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III.