Aklan Leaders Must Act Now on Digital Connectivity

By: John Dela Cruz

Kalibo is the heart of Aklan—the capital town, the hub of commerce, education, governance, and tourism. Yet even here, where connectivity should be strongest, residents and businesses still endure weak mobile signals, dropped calls, and sluggish internet speeds. If Kalibo is already struggling, the situation is far worse for barangays outside town centers and for other municipalities across the province.

This is not just a matter of convenience. In the digital age, connectivity is a lifeline. It powers online learning for students, supports entrepreneurs and farmers reaching wider markets, ensures efficient government transactions, and enables quick disaster response in a province prone to typhoons. Without reliable digital infrastructure, Aklan’s growth is held back.

The bigger picture tells us why. According to the World Bank in 2024, the Philippines needs at least 60,000 cell sites. Yet the DICT reports we have only about 12,000—far behind Vietnam with 90,000 and Bangladesh with 30,000. The result: our internet is among the slowest and most expensive in ASEAN.

Local governments cannot afford to sit idly by, waiting for telcos alone to solve this. Kalibo and Aklan’s leaders must treat digital infrastructure as a top development priority—just as important as roads, bridges, and airports. They can start by mapping out cellular dead spots, identifying and designating tower sites, simplifying permits for providers, and making public lands available for shared use. They can actively push national agencies and private partners to invest in more towers across the province.

The call is urgent. For Aklan to compete, for Kalibo to truly be the center of opportunity, and for every barangay to be included in the digital economy, our leaders must act now. Digital connectivity is no longer optional—it is the foundation of education, commerce, health care, tourism, and governance.

Aklan cannot progress with weak signals and poor connections. Let Kalibo lead the way, and let every town follow. The responsibility rests on our local leaders: prioritize digital infrastructure, and give Aklan the strong signal it deserves.