By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s push for digital transformation in Philippine education, vowing to expand Internet connectivity in public schools, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Marcos made the pronouncement during his visit to the Flora A. Ylagan High School in Diliman, Quezon City to lead the school connectivity drive of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide in public schools, particularly those in underserved areas, by strengthening Internet connectivity, enhancing digital infrastructure, and expanding access to technology.
During his visit, the President entered a Grade 11 classroom and interacted with students, followed by a virtual dialogue with educators and learners from such geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) as Batanes, Marinduque, Cebu, Tawi-Tawi, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, and Apayao.
“Kailangan connected lalong-lalo na ang mga school kaya’t mabuti nagkakaroon at dumarami na yung school natin na connected na. Kaya ipagpapatuloy natin yang programang ‘yan,” Marcos told teachers and school officials during the teleconference.
The teachers expressed their gratitude for the new connectivity and electricity projects, which they said would allow students to conduct research and attend classes virtually even during typhoons and other disruptions.
DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara, who joined the teleconference from an Indigenous Peoples school in Agusan del Norte, noted that students from the Higaonon tribe received power connection during the opening of classes on June 16.
“They got their electricity first (on) Monday, thanks to the quick work of NEA (National Electrification Administration) and DOE (Department of Energy),” Angara said.
Agusan del Norte Gov. Angel Amante added that better Internet and electricity have inspired learners to attend classes regularly.
“Tama ‘yan. Marami talagang magagawa kapag may Internet na. Pararamihin pa natin ito, especially sa GIDA at underserved areas,” Marcos said.
