Digital education assistance amid pandemic

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Admin

Lazatin completes distribution of 63,200 tablets to public school teachers, students, scholars

ANGELES CITY – Mayor Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin, Jr. has finished the distribution of 63,200 tablets to the city's 53 public schools and City College of Angeles (CCA), for the use of public school teachers and Grades 4 to 12 students, and city scholars in their online classes.

“Education has always been my top agenda. In the midst of the pandemic, we made sure to set aside accorded budget in the pipeline to support our teachers and students in their digital education,” Mayor Lazatin said.

Mayor Lazatin has procured P224,448,000 for the purchase of 57,003 tablets for Grades 4 to 12 students from Amsic Integrated School (1,773); Edilberto M. Ganzon Elementary School (821); Gueco Balibago Elementary School (1,236); Alberto G. Pabalan Elementary School (86); Teodoro P. Tinio Elementary School (381); Rafael L Lazatin Memorial High School – Senior High (2,430); Sta. Maria Elementary School (354); Don Ambrocio Mendiola Integarated School (241); Airforce City Elementary School (184); Claro M. Recto Information and Communication Technology High School (881); Cuayan Elementary School (511); Apung Guidang Nepomuceno Elementary School (182); M Nepomuceno Elementary School (483); and Angeles City National Trade School (6,269);

Cutcut Elementary School (427); Northville 15 Integrated School (2,726); Cutud Elementary School (359); LNW Elementary School (795); Dr. Clemente N Dayrit Sr. Elementary School (495); Dr. Clemente N Dayrit Sr. Memorial High School (1,764); Angeles City Science High School (1,450); Malabanias Integrated School (2,093); Tacondo Elementary School (414); Mining Elementary School (143); Marisol Bliss Elementary School (493); EPZA Resettlement Elementary School (866); Bonifacio V. Romero High School (1,934); Pulung Cacutud Elementary School (225); Pampang Elementary School (628); Angeles City National High School (5,646); Angeles City Senior High (524); Jose P. Dizon Elementary School (547); San Ignacio Elementary School (122); Francisco G. Nepo Memorial High School (5,341); Sitio Pader Elementary School (220); Enrica Sandico Elementary School (221); and Pulungbulu Elementary School (306) also received their tablets from the city government.

To complete the 53 public schools, Mayor Lazatin distributed tablets to Angeles Elementary School (1,048); Angeles Elementary School – SPED (67); Salapungan Elementary School (542); Sapalibutad Elementary School (542); Governor Rafael L. Lazatin Integrated School (1,877); Sapangbato Elementary School (635); Sapangbato National High School (1,465); Sitio Target Integrated School (164); Sta. Teresita Elementary School (1,036); Don Pepe Henson Memorial School (185); Belen Homesite Elementary School (79); Sto. Domingo Integrated School (1,985); Leoncia Village Elementary School (91); Sto. Rosario Elementary School (1,470); Pineda-Gutierrez Elementary School (531); Abelardo G Tinio Elementary School (377); and Virgen Delos Remedios Elementary School (237).

Further, 2,997 public school teachers and 3,200 city scholars from the CCA were also visited by Mayor Lazatin to personally turn over their respective tablets.

He was assisted by representatives from key offices – Mayor’s Office Record’s Section Head Jermaine Jam Aguila and Information Communication Technology Division Officer-in-Charge Michael Lising during distribution – and officials Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting and his brother, Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II.

The initial 48,000 tablets amounted to P161,280,000 or P3,360 per unit; while the second delivery of 12,000 tablets cosst P3,960 each amounting to P47,520,000; and P15,648,000 for the 3,200 tablets of city scholars, P4,890 per unit.

The tablets would augment the inclusive needs of the public school teachers and Grades 4 to 12 students and city scholars in their online learning amid the pandemic, Mayor Lazatin explained. These will be given back to the school's administration at the end of the school year.

Apart from this, a total of 700 access points are also being installed city-wide for free WIFI connection, 200 of which were paid for by the city government for P20 million, while the other 500 are being installed for free.

“The digital education which I planned even before the COVID-19 pandemic foresees the installation of internet all over the public schools in the city,” Mayor Lazatin shared.

“The online learning system although untested in the country’s educational system is expected to prevent the spread of the COVID pandemic. And we fully support this under my ‘digital education’ program,” he added.

It can also be recalled that a P1,000 educational financial assistance was also distributed via house-to-house to the city’s indigent students in the city’s 33 barangays.

The Department of Education has also recognized the educational contributions of Mayor Lazatin in this time of pandemic. The said award was conferred to Mayor Lazatin during the virtual recognition of Government and Community Stakeholders on December 28, 2020 recognizing the topmost involvement and participation of various stakeholders in ensuring that education continues amidst the threat of COVID-19 pandemic.