President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wants the utilization of television frequencies reverted back to the government for the full benefit of the people especially Filipino schoolchildren.
“I am directing Secretary Guevarra, Secretary Dela Peña and Secretary Honasan, in collaboration with Secretary Briones, and Secretary Avisado, together with Secretary Dominguez, to come up with an integrated program and implementation mechanism to ensure that these TV frequencies are fully utilized by government through the facilities of PTV4 for the utmost benefit of the Filipino people,” President Duterte said in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
“For the remaining two years of my term, all that is good that belongs to government, whether it be the airwaves, whether it be the lines, or whatever that is good for the people, will belong to the government and it should be government who should be given the first option to utilize them. Ang sobra, kanila,” he said.
The President said that TV frequencies reverted back to the government will be used to provide uninterrupted quality education to Filipino children as the country shifts to e-learning.
President Duterte also reported that the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are building up Public Education Network or PEN that will connect all public schools and DepEd offices nationwide.
“We will prioritize the connection of all Last Mile Schools and those with no electricity supply can have it via satellite and energized via solar panels. By 2022, before I step down, the PEN shall be realized. I’m referring to the program. I will do it,” he said.
The Chief Executive reiterated that he would not allow the traditional face-to-face teaching or learning unless all risks of exposure to the coronavirus are eliminated.
But the President clarified that he would only allow in-person learning to resume by January next year based on his belief that a vaccine will be available by September.
Under DepEd’s blended learning, the department will implement online and modular learning, as well as TV- and radio-based broadcast. DepEd will provide printed modules for those who cannot afford online learning.
“In support of the Learning Continuity Program through blended learning, we plan to increase the number of schools with ICT equipment in the coming months,” he said. PND
