The City Government of San Fernando, La Union officially launched the ‘CSF Konek’ free public WiFi project today, October 14, 2020. In line with its vision to become a Smart City by 2025, the CSF Konek aims to provide internet services to the public for free. For the first phase of the project, there are 14 wireless hotspots covering portions of seven (7) barangays within the Central Business District: Barangay 1, Barangay 2, Barangay 3, Barangay 4, Ilocanos Sur, Ilocanos Norte, and Catbangen. As of today, users can now connect and have free internet access for a maximum of 2 hours per day. The launching event was led by City Mayor Alf Ortega and Vice Mayor Chary Nisce, together with Councilors Antonio Jucar, Atty. Rizalde Laudencia, John Orros, Ramon Ortega, Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Chairperson Luzan Ortega-Valero, La Union Vibrant Women, Inc. (LUVWI) San Fernando Chapter President Raphaelle Ortega, and the City Department Heads. City Vice Mayor Chary Nisce officially opened the program and stated that this support intervention is essential during this time of the pandemic. Through this project, those who do not have mobile data can now use the online services of the City Government, such as the previously launched Online Health Declaration Form (OHDF). At the same time, learners can now keep up with their online classes, and businesses can now improve their services with the use of free public WiFi. In his speech, Mayor Alf shared that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and through this project, the City is now a step closer onwards becoming a Smart City by 2025. He also said that today’s launching is one of the State of the City Address (SOCA) commitments which were declared earlier this year. According to Mayor Alf, the Second Phase of the project shall provide free public WiFi to the rest of the Barangays through the installation of stations within the respective Barangay Halls. For the Third Phase, a wider scope within the Barangays shall have free Internet access. The City Government targets to accomplish these by the year 2025. City Councilor Valero mentioned in her closing statement that the city government is slowly building the foundation for digitalization benefiting the community and our citizens and that digital is the new normal. In addition to having been declared as one of the 25 Digital Cities in the country, the initiative serves as a proof of the City Government’s strong commitment in the implementation of programs that provide genuine and smart solutions to modern problems. We shall continue to innovate and lead programs that allow us to smoothly transition to the New Normal because #SanFernandoAyAyatenKa (Story by Keziah Arela Ibay) (Photos by Erwin Beleo)