Use TV frequencies reverted to gov’t for education – Rody
President Duterte wants television frequencies that have been reverted to the government to be used for distance learning as he maintained that he would not allow face-toface classes while COVID-19 risks remain.
It was unclear if Duterte was referring to the frequency assigned to ABS-CBN, whose application for a new franchise was rejected by Congress.
Duterte said he has ordered the Departments of Justice, Science and Technology, and Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to craft a program to ensure
that the frequencies are used by government through the facilities of People’s Television “for the utmost benefit of the Filipino people.”
“Until the COVID-19 vaccine is available, I will not allow the traditional face-toface teaching or learning unless the risks of exposure for the sickness are eliminated. I cannot and will not put to risk the health and lives of our students and teachers,” the President said during his fifth State of the Nation Address yesterday.
“TV frequencies reverted back to government for whatever cause or reason shall not be used to the exclusion of other persons or other dummies to cope with the demand of the next normal.
This will be used to provide uninterrupted quality education to our children in our shift to e-learning,” he said.
Duterte did not provide details, but he made the remark days after Deputy Speaker Luis Villafuerte Jr. filed House Resolution No. 1044 recommending the temporary use by the government of ABS-CBN’s television and radio frequencies for distance learning.
ABS-CBN, which has been accused by Duterte of maligning him during the 2016 polls, has been denied a franchise by the House legislative franchises committee, a move widely seen as an attack on press freedom.
Duterte said the government plans to increase the number of schools with information and communications technology equipment in the coming months.
The Department of Education (DepEd) and DICT are building up the public education network that will connect all public schools and education offices nationwide.
“We will prioritize the connection of all Last Mile schools and those with no electricity supply and have it via satellite and energized via solar panels.
By 2022, before I step down, the PEN shall be realized. I’m referring to the program, I will, I will do it,” the President said.
Duterte noted that he allowed the conduct of face-toface classes in low risk areas but it would only start in January.
“Because my thinking is that by September, we would have the vaccine.