REMOTE learning was one of the proactive measures implemented by the government to address the health crisis, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

“Ang pinaka-rallying cry ng administrasyon na ito at ng DepEd: education must continue. May bagyo, may lindol, may giyera, may pandemic, patuloy ang edukasyon. Kaya mahalagang- mahalaga, maaga pa, tinitingnan na ng Presidente ang possibility ng remote learning. Kasi kung ‘di puwedeng mag-face-to-face classes ang mga bata hindi ibig sabihin titigil na ang pag-aaral nila,” Briones said at the pre-SONA Media launch briefing.

“Kasi kung ‘di puwede sa libro, puwede sa telebisyon, puwede sa radio, puwede sa iba’t ibang communication. Ito lahat dine-develop at pinopondohan ng ating pamahaalan. Nung lumabas ang PISA results ng 2019, lalong pinaigting ang interes ng Presidente para ma-enhance ang remote learning,” she added.

Briones credited the continuing education to the President and Cabinet members.

She specifically mentioned Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III who led efforts to provide more funding for remote learning.

Briones said it would have been difficult to implement remote learning programs without funding support.

“Even without the pandemic, you have to go to remote learning kasi ang advances ng technology napakabilis, bagong-bago araw-araw. Kailangang  mag-keep in touch tayo, we need to move towards digitalization,” she said.

“Lahat ginagawa ng administrasyong ito, dini-direct ng Presidente. Tumutulong ang DBM, DOF, DICT. Lahat nag-aambagan para patuloy pa rin ang edukasyon, may pandemic o wala, may giyera o wala, may bagyo o wala,” she noted.