Hundreds of digital devices are set to be delivered to more than 600 public schools under the computerization program of the Department of Education (DepEd).
With assistance from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), DepEd announced that hundreds of learners and teachers in 641 public schools in the regions of Central Visayas, Caraga, and Northern Mindanao will benefit from the digital equipment under the DepEd Computerization Program (DCP).
AFP assistance
In a statement, DepEd expressed its gratitude to the AFP for their “crucial assistance” in transporting digital equipment to schools nationwide. This, DepEd said, is a “key step” in enhancing digital education across the country.
DepEd noted that the AFP, led by Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., played a “pivotal role” in delivering laptops, televisions, and other devices from a warehouse in Carmona, Cavite, to various regions.
This effort, DepEd said, supports its push to improve access to technology in schools through the DCP.
In a coordinated effort, DepEd highlighted that the AFP—led by Brawner, Commanding General LTGEN Roy Galido of the Philippine Army, and Commanding General LTGEN Stephen Parreño of the Philippine Air Force—ensured the hauling of digital devices from a warehouse in Cavite.
DepEd added that the operation was further supported by Col. Jake Jumawan of the Philippine Army.
“We sincerely thank the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their steadfast support in helping us deliver these essential digital tools to schools across the country,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said.
“We needed to act quickly and efficiently on these logistical challenges, and the AFP came through with their usual support for the education sector,” he added.
Digital equipment for schools
DepEd highlighted the crucial support provided by the AFP in three key regions.
In Region VII, DepEd reported that the AFP helped transport 630 televisions, 630 laptops, and 630 laptop bags with accessories, benefiting 156 schools and 407 teachers.
In Caraga, DepEd noted that 290 televisions and 290 external hard drives were shipped with the help of the AFP, benefiting 73 schools and 62 teachers.
In Cagayan de Oro (Region X), DepEd also emphasized the efforts of the AFP in transporting 464 laptops, 464 laptop bags with accessories, and 264 televisions (an ongoing effort to complete the shipment) to support 412 schools and 686 teachers.
DepEd said that the delivery of these items would “support the digital learning needs” of schools in the regions and contribute to its efforts to improve access to technology in education through the DCP.
During the Senate committee hearing on the DepEd's budget, Angara announced that the agency would introduce reforms to prevent a recurrence of the warehousing problems experienced in 2020 and 2021, which resulted in delays in distributing learning equipment, textbooks, and furniture.
DepEd is set to implement early procurement activities, bundle supplies, and streamline the delivery of learning resource items to schools.