MANILA – A Negrense lawmaker filed a bill seeking the establishment of community learning centers in all cities and municipalities amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Negros Occidental 3rd District representative Jose Francisco Benitez said on May 18 that creating different learning modalities became “more urgent as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic” which forced closure of schools.
“The learning facilities would provide access to digital learning tools,” Benitez said on his bill. “Access to digital tools could help students reduce physical contact and the chances of transmitting coronavirus.”
He added that the infrastructure for digital learning is an urgent and necessary government task as stated in Republic Act No. 7743, which mandates the establishment of libraries in congressional districts, cities, towns and villages.
However, based on the data from the National Library of the Philippines, only 433 public libraries, or just 3 percent of the target are existing.
“The need for more learning centers with digital tools is therefore glaring,” Benitez said. “Students without internet connection at homes could go to these facilities for free access to digital learning tools and materials.”
“It will help bridge the digital divide and democratize access to information,” he added.
The digital learning facilities could also serve as venues for the Alternative Learning System and other classes./PN
