I would like to extend, my personal congratulations to the Philippine Internet Users’ Society (PIUS) and their partners in leading the first ever celebration of OneWebDay in the Philippines.

The internet and new media have been harbingers of freedom of information and the press. The Internet is the equalizer of the mainstream media, bringing access to individuals even in remote locations and allowing the timid and shy and even the most marginalized sectors to share their voices to the world.

Although statistically the Philippine's internet access lags behind our neighbouring countries, Filipino internet users have been among the most vocal and socially active and participative in making use of the new media. Therefore, I fully encourage various efforts like that of PIUS and other organizations and individuals that are working in order to improve internet access to reach more Filipinos.

I-Café Pilipinas, the national advocacy organization mainly composed of the different internet café owners, operators and internet café associations in the Philippines, would like to announce its full support to the 1^st official Internet day celebration in the Philippines called “One Web Day”.  Organized by the Philippine Internet Users Society,  the Philippines will  join  a  target  of  some  50  countries on September  22, 2009  in a  simultaneous global annual  celebration of  Internet day – OneWebDay,  which is aimed  at  highlighting  the  importance  of the  Internet in  empowering  individuals,  enhancing  social  ties,  and  contributing  to  economic  growth and  development.

Our participation in this year’s celebration reflects our continuing commitment in uplifting the quality of services and participation of the different internet café owners around the country to contribute to the development of the Philippines through information communication technology.  We strongly believe that the internet café owner is a vital contributor to the socio-economic development of the community by providing affordable internet access to the majority of our population.

It also reflects our belief in ensuring that the internet remains to be free from any government intervention that would limit it collaborative nature.  We strongly believe that proper education on the responsible use of the internet would contribute greatly to the empowerment of the community.