Manila City Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso has approved the purchase of 60,820 additional tablets worth P364,920,000 for newly enrolled public school students this coming school year.
The approval followed the city’s effort to adapt to the blended distance learning program amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite the challenges we face due to the pandemic, the city government will continuously support our students, Domagoso said during the local school board meeting.
“As much as possible, we want all students to be able to continue learning,” he added.
In addition to the tablets, the purchase of monthly internet data for K-12 students and hygiene kits for teaching and non-teaching personnel has also been approved.
Domagoso noted that for this purpose, a standby fund of P60,532,256.37 would be tapped in case of an increase in enrolment.
The Manila City government bought last year about 110,000 tablet devices equipped with SIM cards and 11,000 laptops with pocket WiFi devices worth P994 million for students and teachers.