Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 16) – The government is eyeing to buy radios for poor communities, especially those without internet connection, as the Department of Education is gearing for an alternative learning scheme amid the pandemic.
“Ang radyo is hindi naman mahal. Kung magtagal ito talaga, sayang ang panahon, we might buy the radio at 300,” said President Rodrigo Duterte during a late night address on Monday. “Para maibigay sa lahat ng barangay para yung mga mahirap may communication sila sa mga teacher nila.”
[Translation. A radio is not that expensive. If this will last for a long time, we are wasting time, we might buy the radio at 300. We could give them to all barangays so the poor ones will have a means of communication with their teachers.]
Classes are expected to open August 24 without any face-to-face interactions. The Education department is considering to cater classes through Internet, television, or radio.
Duterte said that he will “look for money” to buy the radios.
“We will try to come up with something in the next few days. Maybe before the end of the week, I would be able to look for the money,” he said.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Leonor Briones also said during the inter-agency meeting that the agency is negotiating with two telecommunication companies that could provide free service.
DepEd said that there were so far around 10.6 million students who enrolled online for the upcoming school year.
