President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government is aiming to connect all schools in the country to the internet by the end of 2025. The initiative seeks to address the digital divide in remote areas where internet access remains a challenge.
“We’re working toward 100% connectivity by the end of the year,” said Marcos during a video conference held at Flora A. Ylagan High School in Quezon City.
The video conference linked officials and teachers from 10 schools in remote communities, including mountainous and coastal areas, and small islands. Participants joined the event using satellite-powered internet.
A school official from Makilala, North Cotabato, shared that teachers used to climb a mountain to get a data signal. Another participant from an island in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, said teachers previously had to walk to the coastline to go online.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara joined the video call from a school in Agusan del Norte, which primarily serves indigenous students from the Higaonon tribe. The school, located about two hours from Butuan City and reachable by crossing two rivers, now has electricity and internet access.
Angara said the Department of Energy and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) made it possible to energize the school, allowing it to be connected to the internet.
NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda said 295 “Last Mile Schools” are scheduled to be energized this year. These schools are found in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) where students lack access to basic needs such as electricity, clean water, internet, and safe learning facilities.
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