Latest news with #GeographicallyIsolatedandDisadvantagedAreas
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
'Free WiFi for All' program to boost internet access for last mile schools
Teachers and students in geographically isolated and underserved public schools are expected to benefit from improved internet connectivity under the government's ongoing "Free WiFi for All" initiative. The Digital Bayanihan Project is a joint effort by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Education (DepEd). The project aims to expand internet access across schools in remote areas as part of the government's digital inclusion efforts for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) communities. Among the Last Mile Schools that now have internet access are: Radagan Elementary School, Ilocos Norte (Region I) Chanarian Elementary School, Batanes (Region II) Tibagan Elementary School, Bulacan (Region III) Caigdal National High School, Quezon (Region IV-A) Ulanguan Elementary School, Marinduque (Region IV-B) Lipata Integrated School, Camarines Sur (Region V) Bay-ang National High School, Iloilo (Region VI) Salamanca National High School, Cebu (Region VII) Tigbawan Integrated School, Leyte (Region VIII) Pag-asa Elementary School, Tawi-Tawi (Region IX) Dalingap Elementary School, Misamis Occidental (Region X) Malungon Elementary School, North Cotabato (Region XII) Cabawa Elementary School, Surigao del Norte (Region XIII) Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School, Agusan del Norte (Region XIII) Tangalan National High School, Apayao (CAR) Previously having limited or no internet connection, these schools are now included in a growing network of connected schools through infrastructure support under the government's Bagong Pilipinas campaign. 'Marami talagang magagawa kapag may internet na. Pararamihin pa namin ito, especially sa GIDA areas—yung mga isolated at underserved,' said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (There's so much more that can be done when there's internet. We will expand this further, especially in GIDA areas—those that are geographically isolated and disadvantaged.) Education Secretary Sonny Angara took part in the same virtual event while visiting Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School in Agusan del Norte. The school, previously without electricity, now runs on solar power provided by the National Electrification Administration (NEA). It also received digital learning tools such as Starlink internet, tablets, smart TVs, electric fans and school supplies from the National Electrification Administration and FDC Misamis Power Corporation. 'This is digital bayanihan in action. Kapag kinokonekta natin ang mga paaralan, kinokonekta rin natin ang mga estudyante sa mas magandang kinabukasan,' said Angara. (This is digital bayanihan in action. When we connect schools, we also connect students to a better future.) DICT Secretary Henry Aguda reiterated the department's goal: to connect all public schools to the internet before the end of 2025. Through the Free Public Internet Access Program, Bayanihan SIM, and continuous infrastructure deployment, coupled with DepEd's digitalization efforts, the initiative seeks to close the digital divide and support learning across all regions. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Marcos grants P7,000 annual medical allowance for DepEd personnel
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has approved the release of a P7,000 annual medical allowance for public school teachers and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd). 'This is our way of recognizing the commitment of our teachers and staff. This allowance is a way to give back and ensure they never have to choose between their health and the stress of medical bills,' said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. The initiative, formalized under Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024 and supported by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Circular No. 2024-6, seeks to ease the burden of out-of-pocket medical expenses and promote better health outcomes among educators and staff, particularly those in low-income, remote, or high-risk areas. DepEd Order No. 16, s. 2025 lays out the guidelines for the grant, offering three options for employees to access the benefit: Enrollment in group Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) packages procured by DepEd, Individual purchase or renewal of HMO-type products Direct cash payment via payroll, especially for those in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) or without access to HMO services. Eligible recipients include all permanent, co-terminus, fixed-term, casual, and contractual personnel who have rendered at least six months of service within the year. Excluded are those without a formal employer-employee relationship with DepEd, such as consultants, job order workers, apprentices, and student laborers. DepEd emphasized that for those availing of individual HMOs or direct cash options, the P7,000 allowance will be disbursed through payroll even before the submission of receipts or supporting documents. However, failure to comply with documentation requirements may lead to the suspension of the following year's allowance. 'This is a realization of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers,' DepEd added, citing Republic Act No. 4670, which mandates health benefits for educators. The agency said the program is expected to reduce absenteeism, enhance staff morale, and strengthen the resilience of the teaching force—particularly in underserved communities. The rollout of the medical allowance is part of the Marcos administration's broader push to improve the welfare of government workers and recognize the critical role of educators in nation-building. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Comelec eyes donation of 8,000 Starlink units used in Eleksyon 2025 to public schools
Around 8,000 units of satellite network Starlink that were used during the recently concluded midterm elections are expected to be donated to public schools nationwide, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia said Wednesday. Garcia said that the iOne Resources, Inc., the distributor tapped for the transmission of the election results, will be the one to donate the Starlink devices, but the Comelec will help them facilitate. To recall, the Comelec earlier distributed thousands of Starlink units in areas with limited connectivity for the conduct of the 2025 national and local elections. 'Lahat po 'yun ay isosoli sa kanila. Pero ngayon kino-kolekta dahil nga baka mawala, nasa mga bubong kasi ng mga paaralan…Kahapon pinag-usapan namin na tuloy na tuloy naman ang kanilang donation kung saka-sakali,' the poll chairman said in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. (All of those units are expected to be returned. They are currently being collected because they were placed on the roofs of schools. But yesterday, we talked with iOne and it seems that they will push through with the donation.) 'Sabi namin, okay naman na ma-donate talaga sa DepEd. Kami very supportive kami. 'Konti lang naman ang Comelec, madami po kaming lugar na walang signal, baka pwedeng ma-donate din lalo na 'yung sa mga municipal board of canvassers sa mga munisipyo sa mga lugar na walang signal, mga GIDA sites,'' he added. (We told them that it's okay if those will be donated to DepEd. We're very supportive of that. There are only a few Comelec offices, but there are a lot of areas without signal, especially in municipalities in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas.) —RF, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
