Vico Sotto. Photo from his Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig City government has raised some P1.2 billion to buy laptops, tablets, and other learning devices for its public schools as they gear up for virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was disclosed by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto during a Facebook live on Wednesday, which also happens to be his 31st birthday.
“Sa larangan ng edukasyon, nakahanap tayo ng P1.2 billion para sa ating pampubikong paaralan… para sa ating mag-aaral mula elementarya hanggang sa senior high school ng mga tablets, ‘yung iba mga laptop at ‘yung teachers nila bibigyan ng Pamahalaang Pasig ng tablets, laptops or learning devices,” he said.
(For education, we raised P1.2 billion for our public schools… for our elementary to senior high school students, for tablets and laptops, and for their teachers, the Pasig government will also give them tablets, laptops, or learning devices.)
At the same time, Sotto vowed that more than 2,000 students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig will receive tablets to assist them in distance or online learning.
Sotto then assured the public that they are constantly coordinating with the Department of Education regarding the provision of learning tools and internet for students.
He said virtual education will push through in Pasig public schools since face-to-face learning may pose health risks amid threats posed by COVID-19.
“Walang papalit sa face-to-face classes pero alam natin na sa ngayon medyo delikado pa. Ayaw namin maging breeding ground ng virus ang paaralan,” Sotto said.
(Nothing can replace face-to-face classes but we all know that right now, it’s still dangerous. We don’t want our schools to be breeding grounds o the virus.)
Previously, Education Secretary Leonor Briones announced that classes will open on August 24 but that it can be done either physically or virtually.
As of June 11, nearly 10 million students in the country have registered for the upcoming school year since enrolment started this month.