SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Tuesday pressed concerned officials of the Duterte administration and the telecommunication sector (telcos) to ensure delivery of “reliable Internet connectivity” to facilitate transition to E-governance, flexible learning and online business transactions.
In a news statement, Go called on the government and the private sector, particularly telecommunications companies, to “work together to provide reliable Internet connectivity” to enable smooth transition to online modes of transactions.
Stressing the importance of fast and reliable Internet in order to avoid face-to-face transactions amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the senator cited examples, such as the transition of government to E-governance, students adapting to flexible, or blended learning, and the public conducting online business transactions.
“Ito na po ang ‘new normal.’” Necessity na po ang fast and reliable Internet. Huwag dapat magpahuli ang Pilipinas dahil importante ito para sa development ng mga Pilipino,” he said, even as he admitted encountering difficulty in the adjustment.
He added: “’Yung mga Senate sessions, hearings at meetings ngayon ay virtual na bilang pagsunod sa social distancing measures. Apektado ang trabaho kapag mabagal at hindi reliable ang ating Internet connection.”
At the same time, Go lauded the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s (ARTA) latest directive which seeks to accelerate the rollout of telecommunication infrastructure and service projects in the Philippines.
The senator noted that the Joint Memorandum Circular, currently being drafted by a joint task force composed of ARTA, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Information and Communications Technology, aims to fast-track the construction of telecom towers.
Moreover, Go pointed out that by providing wider and more reliable access to the Internet, “educational institutions will have more flexibility to implement a blended learning approach which integrates both online and offline modes of learning for students in any part of the country. ”