Lapid seeks probe on possibility of mandating telcos to provide free internet to education sector

Senator Lito Lapid on Wednesday said he wants to look into the possibility of requiring telecommunication companies to provide free internet access to learning websites that may be used by the education sector amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Senate Resolution No. 416, filed on May 26, seeks the conduct of Senate hearings to determine if free internet services may be extended by telcos to students and teachers "during times of disaster and emergency when physical classes cannot be conducted."

“Sa mga susunod na buwan lalo’t habang narito pa ang banta ng covid 19 sa ating bansa, malinaw na ang sistema ng pagtuturo ay nakasalalay na mekanismo ng online classes, online activities, projects at assignments," Lapid said in a statement.

"Ibig sabihin mangangailangan ang mga estudyante ng malakas at mabilis na internet para makasabay sa hinihinging pagbabago sa kanilang pag-aaral, pero paano naman makakasabay ang mahihirap na estudyante kung hindi libre ang internet? Maging ang mga guro ay mahihirapan makapasok sa digital platforms kung ang internet ay kailangan pang bayaran,” he added.

The Department of Education announced that School Year 2020-2021 will start on August 24 using "blended forms" of learning to ensure the welfare of over 27 million basic education students and 1.2 million teaching and non-teaching personnel at public and private schools in the country.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon pointed out that students from poor families will be at a disadvantage if education will take the form of a virtual set-up since internet access remains a luxury for many Filipinos.

Earlier this week, President Rodrigo Duterte said he will not allow the opening of classes until a COVID-19 vaccine becomes locally available.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. later clarified that this only means physical classes won't resume yet.

A proposed measure which will authorize Duterte to reschedule the opening of classes beyond August is also being tackled in the Senate. -MDM, GMA News