Gatchalian pushes for microloans to help parents buy ‘blended learning’ gadgets

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for microloans for parents who need to buy their children gadgets to be used for “blended learning” when classes resume on August 24.

“Isa sa mga amendment ko doon (Bayanihan 2) ay magbigay ng micro loans sa ating mga magulang at sa ating mga eskwelahan. Microloans kasi dapat mag-umpisa na tayong mag-invest sa technology ngayon,” Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts, and Culture, said in the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday.

(One of my amendments there is to provide microloans for parents and schools. Microloans [are needed] because we should start investing in technology now.)

“Kung merong available microloans sa ating mga magulang para bumili ng computer, laptop, tablet, ibigay natin sa kanila. Merong microloans sa private schools, in particular. Gawin natin ito para makatransition sila at ma-upgrade nila yung kanilang technology,” he added.

(If there are available microloans for parents so they can buy a computer, laptop, or tablet, let’s give it to them. There are microloans in private schools in particular. We should make this available so they can transition and upgrade their technology.)

Gatchalian noted that it will be good to invest in internet access in schools and rural areas under the so-called “new normal” amid the coronavirus pandemic since a similar situation may be repeated in the future where the education system may be disrupted again.

Earlier, Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said DepEd is also preparing printed learning materials for students who do not have the gadgets needed for alternative learning and access to the internet.

Aside from the proposal for microloans, Gatchalian also shared that Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto has also proposed to include in the Senate Bill No. 1564 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) relief packages for private school teachers, as well as for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to help their children continue their education amid the coronavirus crisis.

“Under the Bayanihan 2, nagpropose si Senator Recto na bigyan sila ng relief between P5,000 to P8,000 para matulungan ‘yung mga teachers natin at hindi naman matanggal sa trabaho. Ang tawag nila ay amelioration for teachers, particularly for private schools,” the senator said.

(Under the Bayanihan 2, Senator Recto proposed to provide relief assistance ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 to help teachers so they would not be removed from work. This will be called amelioration for teachers, particularly for private schools.)

“We are making available under Bayanihan 2 a relief package para sa OFWs natin para magpatuloy ang pag-aaral ng kanilang mga anak (for our OFWs so their children can continue their education),” Gatchalian added.

/MUF