Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 25) – Even the telecommunications regulator was not spared from faulty internet connection.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) missed the Senate Basic Education Committee hearing on Thursday due to bad connectivity.
And it was at a time when the hearing discussed alternative learning schemes in the new normal such as distance and online learning.
Senator Francis Tolentino called on NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios to join the hearing virtually.
However, senators could not reach Cabarios.
“Walang signal ang NTC. It’s a very good omen. NTC, naririnig nyo kami? Dapat pinakamalakas na signal [ang] NTC,” said Tolentino.
[Translation: NTC has no signal. It’s a very good omen. NTC, can you hear us? NTC should have the strongest signal.]
“I think you’re just here in Metro Manila. NTC you don’t have any signal. NTC are you still practicing state of the art technology? We can’t hear you,” he added.
Minutes later, Senate Basic Education Committee Chairman Win Gatchalian also tried to ask questions to the commission.
But he also got no response.
Gatchalian could not help but point out the irony in the situation.
“Pag may technical problems ang NTC, parang nawawalan ako ng pag-asa sa online learning na mangyayari sa bansa natin dahil ang NTC ang regulator ng telcos,” he said.
[Translation: If NTC is already experiencing technical problems, I’m also losing hope on the online learning because it is the regulator of telcos.]
“Continue to fix it para may pag-asa pa kami sa Pilipinas sa online learning,” he added.
[Translation: Continue to fix it so there will still be hope on the online learning in the Philippines.]
A number of education stakeholders and local government officials have repeatedly raised concerns on the effectiveness of online learning.
They say that many students, teachers, and local governments have no access to internet or good signal.
