Quezon City to establish 1,000 WiFi access points

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The Quezon City government has partnered with the innovative development arm of telecommunications company Globe to set up 1,000 WiFi access points in the city.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said the initiative, which will be implemented with Globe Labs, would provide residents free one hour internet connection daily through the access points.

“We are fortunate to have Globe as a partner because we share the same goal,” Belmonte said, highlighting the importance of online connectivity, especially with the distance learning system as face-to-face classes have been suspended due to the risks of COVID-19.

The local government awarded Globe the contract for the provision of 176,000 data SIM cards for the tablets to be distributed to public high school students in the city.

The SIM cards will be loaded with 10GB data allowance every month to allow the students to access learning materials online using the tablets previously turned over by the city government to the schools division office.

Globe added security features to prevent access to certain content and gaming websites, ensuring that the tablets will be used only for learning.

“As part of Quezon City’s learning continuity programs, it is crucial for us to ensure that all students have access to education, most importantly during this period of disruption,” Belmonte said.

She said the initiative gives public school students access to modules and other learning materials under the blended learning system.

The Quezon City school board has approved a budget of P2.9 billion to fund learning materials for the students.

In addition to the tablets and data allocation for high school students, the funds will also be used for modules, learning packets containing flash drives and additional printed materials for those in kinder to grade school levels.

The local government said it has contributed to the printing and reproduction of over 10 million modules for all subjects in elementary level, as well as provided students free school supplies, learning packets and hygiene kits.

As of Sept. 24, there are over 432,000 students enrolled in public elementary and high schools in the city.

“We are glad to have exceeded our target enrollees despite the uncertainties caused by the pandemic,” Belmonte said.

She assured parents that students would receive quality education through the learning materials and other support programs given by the city to the schools division office and the Department of Education.