Honasan to continue Rio’s policies, programs as DICT head

Newly-appointed Information Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan II on Tuesday vowed to continue the programs and policies started by former acting chief Eliseo Rio Jr. at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

In his first press conference in Quezon City since he took his oath of office, Honasan allayed fears that programs and initiatives under Rio will be discontinued.

"To allay fears of continuity, sustainability, and predictability we have here Undersecretary Eliseo Rio, whose programs and initiatives which we are going to continue," the Cabinet official said.

The former senator said Rio will be serving as a senior undersecretary for operations at the DICT.

Under Rio, who headed the DICT as an acting secretary, the department started the search for a third player in the telecommunications sector to break the dominance of giants PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc.

The DICT, under Rio, also started the common tower initiative in a bid to fast-track the establishments of telecommunications tower in the country to improve connectivity.

The department also supervised the implementation of the Free Wi-Fi in all Public Places law.

Rio, for his part, welcomed the entry of Honasan.

"The entry of Secretary Honasan is a very welcome development... what the department really needs is his management expertise," Rio said.

"You know, my weakness is management... I'm concentrated on technical matters," he added. — RSJ, GMA News