Can Internet Meet Nation's Schools' Needs?

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. called last Thursday for the construction of some 50,000 cell towers nationwide to ensure a strong Internet connection in any part of the country with the shift to online classes this coming school year as part of the government efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He recommended that cell towers be constructed in all schools, all municipalities, and all barangays in order to have wide interconnection between the Department of Education (DepEd) and all towns and barangays. There are now only 19,000 cell towers in the country, he said, and many local government units are making it difficult for telecom companies to construct due to numerous requirements.

Esperon’s proposal exposes the fact that the country does not now have the Internet coverage needed if the nation’s schools are to open this school year using a combination of online sessions with face-to-face classes.