THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology started the construction of its first LokaLTE Base Station in San Andres Elementary School in Tanay, Rizal as part of its Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal project.

“DOST- Advanced Science and Technology Institute initiated the Project REIINN in 2021, believing that through technology-based interventions coupled with appropriate policies, access to the internet and information in unserved and underserved areas will be the new normal,” DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said.

Project REIINN focuses on the development of application frameworks and infrastructures to support the shift to remote learning and to narrow the digital divide in the country.

One of the project’s initiatives is the development and deployment of small-scale, community-operated LokaLTE towers.

DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara, through a video message, shared that this milestone is only the beginning of what the project aims to achieve — universal connectivity as well as strengthened policy adoption on spectrum management and community networks.

Meanwhile, REIINN Team Leader Martinez reiterated the importance of the project in providing equal access to the internet, thereby levelling the playing field in education.

“May this groundbreaking (activity) be a trigger of many more groundbreakings in unserved and underserved communities in the Philippines, until such time that all students, regardless of where they are, have equitable access, reaping the same benefits of digital learning,” Martinez said.

Project REIINN Technical Lead Philip Martinez, DOST Rizal Provincial Director Fernando Ablaza, Electronic Industries Association of the Philippines, Inc. Vice President Vic Gruet, Department of Education led the groundbreaking ceremony.

The department is eyeing a community in Castillejos, Zambales as its second site for LokaLTE in June 2022.