THE DEPARTMENT of Education thanked local government units and other external partners for supporting its blended learning program by providing the agency with digital learning assistance.

DepEd has partnered with 475 local government units, as well as a number of non-government organizations and other partners who provided learning materials and help to learners, parents, guardians, teachers and personnel.

“Ibibigay namin [ang mga necessity] upang matugunan ang pangangailangan sa digital equipment. Sa buong bansa, kadalasan ang mga local government units ay namimigay talaga sila ng cellphones and smartphones pa nga ‘yong iba,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

“Sa Manila, P1.2-billion worth of cellphones and digital equipment pati load ang ipinamigay sa ating kabataan,” she added.

Pasig City spent P1.2 billion for cell phones for learners and teachers while Quezon City spent P2.9 billion for gadgets.

Valenzuela City is currently distributing 23,500 units of 7-inch smartphones.

Briones said that DEPED and its partners distributed distance learning equipment for teachers.

Based on the report of the regional offices, around 1,202 donation activities of local government units or external partners have been conducted.

Among the initiatives of local government units are identifying the suitable modality of learning for every location, providing machines for the printing of modules, engaging partnerships with internet providers for a better connection, and collaborating with local media for radio and television-based instruction.

They also provided training for teachers and parents to help them adapt to the new normal in education.

As of October 30, 2020, the education department received about P13 billion worth of cash and in-kind donations from external partners in 16 regions.

This assistance from local government units and external partners boosted the regional and division offices’ efforts in implementing Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan like the printing and distribution of self-learning modules, teachers’ training and parents’ orientation, TV and radio modality, and health and safety protocols.