Lapid wants inquiry on the capacity of telcos to provide free internet access

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Lito Lapid has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the capabilities of telecommunication companies to provide free internet access for students and teachers during the lockdown period amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

Lapid said free internet access will be used for online learning portals, educational websites, and similar digital platforms.

Senate Resolution no. 416 cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the cause that abruptly closed schools and educational institutions in the country.

To compensate for the lack of normal classroom settings, schools will be using virtual classes to deliver lessons to students and keep track of their educational requirements.

“Sa mga panahon ng kalamidad at emergency gaya na lamang ng hinahrap nating pandemya, mahalagang may malakas at maaasahang Internet service ang ating mga estudyante at mga guro. Sa ganitong paraan lamang masisiguro na magtutuloy-tuloy ang kanilang pagaaral at pagkatuto. Alam nating matagal pa babalik ang nakagawiang face-to-face o physical classes kaya sa online classes nakadepende ang ating mga estudyante para hindi titigil ang paglinang sa kanilang kaalaman,” Lapid said.

(In the time of calamity and emergency just like the pandemic that we’re experiencing, it’s important to have a strong and stable Internet service for our students and teachers. It’s through this that we can ensure that students will continue learning. We all know that it will be a long time before we return to face-to-face or physical classes so we have to resort to online classes so that students won’t stop learning.)

Lapid added that students will need free internet access to use online libraries, educational websites, and similar platforms during their virtual classes during the pandemic.

The Department of Education already pushed the start of the 2020-21 academic year to August 24, but schools are advised to implement alternative settings such as online classes to avoid physical contact.

“Sa mga susunod na buwan lalo’t habang narito pa ang banta ng COVID-19 sa ating bansa, malinaw na ang sistema ng pagtuturo ay nakasalalay na mekanismo ng online classes, online activities, projects at assignments,” said Lapid.

(In the next few several months, especially with the threat of COVID-19 in the country, it’s clear that the system of learning will rely on online classes, online activities, projects, and assignments.)

Lapid, however, stressed that low-income families will not put internet subscriptions as a priority in their monthly spending especially during a calamity.

“Ibig sabihin mangangailangan ang mga estudyante ng malakas at mabilis na Internet para makasabay sa hinihinging pagbabago sa kanilang pag-aaral, pero paano naman makakasabay ang mahihirap na estudyante kung hindi libre ang Internet? Maging ang mga guro ay mahihirapan makapasok sa digital platforms kung ang internet ay kailangan pang bayaran.”

(Students will need stable and fast internet access to keep pace with the changes in their learning. But how will the students from poor families keep up if internet access is not for free? Even teachers will have a hard time using their digital platforms if their internet access needs to be paid for.)

/MUF