Governor declares Nov. 1 Internet Day
By The Star Staff
At an event organized by the Puerto Rico chapter of the Internet Society in conjunction with the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Bayamón Campus, Enrique Völckers-Nin, executive director of the Smart Island Program and assistant secretary of Government Innovation, Information, Data and Technology, on Monday read the proclamation of Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia declaring Nov. 1 as Internet Day.
“This proclamation supports our efforts to provide high-speed internet to all of Puerto Rico,” Völckers-Nin said. “Governor Pedro Pierluisi has been emphatic on the importance of closing the digital divide on the island, which is why we continue to develop projects that help improve telecommunications infrastructure and ensure affordable access to high-speed Internet for all Puerto Ricans.”
The governor’s proclamation underscores the importance of the internet in all areas of human endeavor and of reducing the digital divide to provide access to internet connection to a greater number of people, in order to promote the socioeconomic development of Puerto Rico. It also highlights the need to preserve, protect and strengthen the internet in order to ensure development, security, stability and future and absolute access for the benefit of all.
Norberto Cruz, chairman of the Internet Society of Puerto Rico board of directors, “the celebration of Internet Day in Puerto Rico on Nov. 1 … is an opportunity to advance our mission to promote an open, safe and accessible internet for all our citizens.”
“It also gives us the opportunity to educate different communities on the adoption of new technologies, bridge the digital divide, foster digital inclusion, and expand collaboration among various actors in our vibrant digital ecosystem,” Cruz added.