Demand for computers rises with prices

CEBU, Philippines — With schools shifting largely to online classes this coming school year, the demand for computers, particularly laptops, has skyrocketed and supply has run low even as prices of computers have gone up, including in Cebu.

The Freeman learned that a mid-range laptop or personal computer now costs between P35,000 to P45,000 and as high as P100,000, depending on the brand.

If one is patient enough to line up and inquire, however, there are still a few stores in the city that sell laptops at P15,000 and below and personal computers worth below P23,000.

In a visit to stores in Cebu City, The Freeman learned that even the supply of tablets, a substitute for a laptop computer, is also running out.

One salesman told The Freeman that low-end laptops were the first to get sold out and, as of yesterday, the store has no idea just yet when supply would be replenished and what the price range would be.

It did not help that the National Capital Region and its neighboring provinces were placed back under modified enhanced community quarantine, which disrupted shipping.

A parent who was canvassing for computers told The Freeman the current prices can already pay for up to a year’s tuition fee in a private school.

While several stores offer installment payment options, a middle-class family that has two or more children who are enrolled at the same time would find purchasing computers altogether quite costly.

Low-end laptops that cost P15,000, for example, can easily total P45,000 for three children. Expenses for internet connection are another matter.

This is why some parents who were window shopping for gadgets Friday were glad to learn that Malacañang moved the opening of classes to October instead of the last week of August.

In Cebu, most of those who have chosen online learning are from private schools.

In a survey by DepEd in Cebu City, 90 percent of enrollees from the elementary and secondary level have chosen to do modular learning.

But even with the postponement of the start of class, teachers feel those who will choose online learning with would only be about five percent of enrollees.

“Considering nga on recovery pa ang economy, murag dili pa siguro priority ang gadgets (Considering that the economy is still recovering, gadgets may not be the priority),” said Remus Marinas, president of the Regional Federation of Teachers Association (RTFA-7).

Marinas said many parents of students in public schools have just returned to work.

Teachers, too, are facing the challenge themselves as many of them who have been reliant on face-to-face teaching are now forced to acquire equipment for online classes.

Some public schools have laptops and personal computers they lend to teachers but a source told The Freeman there are also teachers who choose to use their personal equipment. /JMO (FREEMAN)