Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte wished to replicate the free internet connectivity program of San Juan City to narrow the gaps among learners in a highly digitized learning environment.

Vice President Sara Duterte delivers a message at the Pinaglabanan Elementary School in San Juan City on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Screenshot from Mayor Francis Zamora livestream)

On the sidelines of her inspection of Pinaglabanan Elementary School’s Free Fiber Optic Internet Connection and Free Wifi Program led by San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora on Tuesday, Dec. 13, the official expressed awe at seeing what she herself dreams of for every Filipino learner.

“Sabi ko nga ‘yan ang pangarap ng (As I said, that is the dream of the) Department of Education (DepEd) para sa lahat ng ating paaralan pero sa ngayon ang (for all our schools but for now, our) direction po natin ay (is) mixed,” she said in a media interview.

Duterte, who is also DepEd chair, explained that some schools do not have the capacity to have stable internet connection because of the lack of infrastructure in their areas.

“Kaya meron tayong (That’s why we have) online, and meron tayong pinu-pursue na (we pursue) offline para nase-serve natin ang lahat ng sitwasyon sa ating mga paaralan (so we can serve all the situations of our schools),” she said.

As she thanked voters in San Juan City for supporting her during the 2022 national elections, Duterte lauded the city “for the successful implementation of this project which seeks to advance the city's public education system through greater accessibility to information technology.”

“As a former mayor ng siyudad ng Davao naiingit ako dahil nabibigay ng buo at nagbibigay lahat ng ating local government unit dito sa San Juan ang mga kailangan o prayoridad ng ating mga (of the city of Davao, I am envious because the local government unit of San Juan is able to provide wholly all the needs and priorities of our) learners,” she said.

(Screenshot from San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora’s Facebook page)

Duterte, who was mayor of her hometown Davao City before running as vice president, recognized that San Juan City was awarded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as a “child-friendly local government unit” and called it a “reliable partner” in “ensuring a brighter future for our young Filipinos.”

“By collaborating with our local policy makers, school administrators, and the general public in building avenues for sustainable learning, you've successfully initiated valuable programs that empower communities and enhance school activity among your students,” she said.

“Thus, I laud you for the successful implementation of this project which seeks to advance the city's public education system through greater accessibility to information technology,” the Vice President added.

Noting that San Juan City provided fiber optic internet connection and 55-inch smart television in every classroom of some 13 schools there, Duterte said she’s “optimistic” the local government can “narrow the digital divide among different academic institutions.”

The city also enabled 7,000 households and public school students to initially access fiber optic internet connection for research and academic work, and distributed tablets and laptops to teachers and students.

“Rest assured that we would continue working with you in addressing the needs of our teachers and students and in overcoming the challenges they face and we face amidst a highly digitized learning environment today,” Duterte said, adding that San Juan City should inspire other LGUs.

#Francis Zamora

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