No social distancing among students using ‘wifi vendo’ in Manila

As schools shift to distance learning amid the pandemic, some students have been forced to go out of their homes in search of a stable internet connection to attend their online classes.

Some shops have rolled out a “wifi vendo,” a machine that connects customers to the internet for P10 for three hours.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday, some shops in Manila have been crowded with students who lack wifi connection at home.

Among them is CJ Almojuela, who recently discovered “piso wifi” shops.

“Namamatay-matay po [‘yung wifi], nawalan ng signal,” he said of their internet connection at home.

“Parang na-ano nga ako sa kaniya kahapon kasi umiiyak siya e, sabi niya hindi na raw siya naka-[connect],” his mom Precy said.

Though CJ has a tablet provided by the city government of Manila, internet connectivity hampers his access to online classes.

“Gusto ko lang naman makapagtapos sila kasi sobrang hirap ng buhay ngayon. ‘Pag gumaya pa sila sa amin na mahirap, edi wala na,” Precy said.

Even teachers and other parents have been struggling with internet connection since the opening of classes on Monday. 

The Department of Education earlier said students with no gadgets and wifi may use printed self-learning modules instead.

Lawmakers earlier said online classes would put the poor at a disadvantage and stressed that the internet is unstable in the Philippines. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News