BY MINKA KLAUDIA S. TIANGCO
The Manila city government has set up free WiFi connection at 50 public elementary and high schools across the city to help teachers cope with the blended distant learning system.
The internet connection installed by members of the Manila Electronic Data Processing Services (EDPS) can reach up to 20 megabytes per second (mbps).
The project was done in partnership with the Department of Information and Comunication Technology (DICT).
In a related development, at least eight barangays in the capital city set up e-learning hubs for students.
The hubs are equipped with books, desktop computers, and other learning materials. Plastic barriers are fitted between each desktop computer to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso lauded the following barangay heads for establishing the e-learning hubs:
– Chairman Edwin Simbulan, 413 Pavia Street corner Asuncion Extension, Tondo
– Chairman Joey Itoy Ejercito, A. Cecilio Street, Bo Obrero, Tondo
– Chairperson Ann Abella, 2145 Ipil Street, Sta. Cruz
– Chairperson Evelyn de Guzman, 761 Miguelin Street, Sampaloc
– Chairman Lei Lacuna, Biyaya Street, Bacood, Sta. Mesa
– Chairman Jonathan Garzo, 3650 Bataan Street, Sta. Mesa
– Chairperson Michi Castro, Bagong Barangay, West Zamora, Pandacan
– Chairman Jim Veniegas, 1804 Felipe Agoncillo Street, Malate
On a Facebook post on Tuesday, Domagoso vowed that they will continue to build facilities and provide devices to help students and teachers navigate the new learning set-up amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Earlier, the city government purchased a total of 137,200 tablets, 11,000 laptops, 11,000 pocket WiFi, and 286,000 sim cards with a 10 GB bandwith-monthly allotment to distribute to students and teachers as face-to-face classes are still prohibited amid the pandemic.
Domagoso also donated 1,010 tablets to disadvantaged Unibersidad de Manila students using his modeling and talent fees from various private companies.
The city government also turned over free tablets to 284 poor Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila students.
