Manila, April 19 -- The first phase of the national broadband program is crucial in achieving economic transformation in the Philippines, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Friday.

During the grand launch of the Phase 1 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City, Marcos said the project is an "enormous breakthrough," as his administration continues its quest to increase internet connectivity and service capacity in the country.

Marcos said the NFB Program would also be a "very big push" in helping nano enterprises and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) enter the digital world to promote their businesses.

"That is such an important part of the economic transformation that we are...