27.3 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

8:07 AM

27.3 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

8:07 AM

DepEd, ILPI, SCVI sign MOA for internet connectivity in schools

ILIGAN CITY (PIA) – In preparation for the shift to blended learning in the coming school year amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Education (DepED) Iligan City Schools Division has signed an agreement with Iligan Light and Power, Inc. (ILPI) and Southern Cable Vision, Inc. (SCVI)  for free internet connectivity.


The project dubbed “Internet Connectivity: Programa sa Paglaum sa Edukasyon, Kahayag sa Kaugmaon” was formalized during the recent signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Iligan City Schools Division Superintendent Roy Angelo E. Gazo and ILPI-SCVI President Ralph B. Casiño.


Under the MOA, ILPI and SCVI will provide free internet connectivity and maintenance for one year to 15 public schools of the City Division which will use the online distance learning modality. 


These schools are Luinab Elementary School, Tambo Central School, Suarez Central School, Iligan City North Central School, South 1A Central School, Tomas Cabili Elementary School, Tomas Cabili National High School, Doña Juana Actub Lluch Memorial School, Villa Verde Elementary School, Iligan City National High School, Ubaldo Laya Memorial School, Doña Josefa Celdran School, Hinaplanon National High School, and Tambacan Elementary School.


The project, which supports the “Bayanihan To Heal As One Act”, is part of the corporate social responsibility of ILPI and SCVI.


Casiño said they are making their facilities available so that education can continue amidst the pandemic.  “Education cannot stop because of this situation,” he emphasized.


“The growth of ILPI and SCVI is dependent on the development and growth of the city so we can only invest in the long term, and we should be investing in our children because they are the ones who will move us forward,” Casiño added.


Meanwhile, Dazo expressed gratitude to ILPI and SCVI saying the project can benefit DepEd as it can cut the cost of the Division’s internet connectivity.


He further cited that they can also reduce or save around Php200 million in the production of printed materials.


According to him, about 10 percent (%) of the students can be served by the online modality. The rest will be using the printed module.


“The production cost of materials needed for modular instruction is around Php2 billion so if we cut it by 10% percent due to the online modality, certainly, we will be reducing or saving around Php200 million because we will no longer be printing materials for the 10% of our students,” he explained.


ILPI is a privately-owned electricity power distribution utility while SCVI is a cable TV and internet provider in Iligan. (APB/PIA ICIC)