Gov. Arthur Yap pushes the idea that provinces in the country could help solve connectivity problems that have impacted the efficient delivery of distance learning materials.
The governor hatched the idea for provincial governments in the country to operate common cellular towers to be rented out to telecommunication companies, and even go as far as operating television (TV) relay stations.
The Bohol governor pitched this initiative during a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, with members of the League of Provinces in the Philippines (LPP). The LPP is the association of provincial governors in the entire country.
Moreover, Yap pushed his idea for provincial governments to operate TV stations (and even cellular towers) as a means to solve the problem of the difficulty in the delivery of distance learning materials. With the pandemic, the education sector is forbidden to engage in face-to-face classes. Lessons are set to be delivered via blended learning where modules are provided to students to study and some modules are delivered via online and even through radio and TV.
WEAK SIGNAL
Strong internet connectivity is related to cellular signal strength. Poor connectivity is making the delivery of distance learning materials more difficult. To solve this problem, Yap has a solution.
The governor said that the Department of Education (DepEd) has already surveyed areas in Bohol, and has determined portions of the province where the cellular signals are weak.
At this point, Capitol media reports that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) considers the data from Bohol as a significant contribution in determining the areas that need intervention.
Yap shared all these during the LPP meeting what Quirino provincial governor Dakila Cua told him. Cua said that Quirino province is looking at setting up common cellular towers that telecommunication companies can use.
Common cellular towers are critical infrastructure where there is a third-party entity, which is not a telecommunications company; and this third-party entity will be the one to spend for the construction of cellular towers while the telecommunications companies will pay for the use of these towers.
Initially, this has been considered for Bohol, but Yap wanted a revenue model on this idea, if the telcos indeed would rent these common cellular towers. The revenue model is important since the province will be spending on the construction of the towers, the Capitol media reports.
PROVINCE AS A TV STATION OPERATOR
The governor pitched another way to facilitate distance learning, because in having the common cellular towers, the people would still spend for “load” to get internet connection on their gadgets or devices.
Yap hatched the idea to allow provinces to acquire affiliate franchise from state-run People’s Television 4 (PTV 4) television network, to operate TV relay stations.
The governor explained that PTV 4 has radio at television franchise for the entire country.
If the DICT can help all the provinces get affiliate franchise from PTV 4, this can be helpful in distance learning and in disseminating information on community projects and on anti-Coronavirus disease (Covid)-programs.
With the idea, the people can get distance learning programs for free as they just have to turn their TV sets on and need not worry spending on “load” for their internet connection.
The Capitol media report says the provinces are the ones that will put up the TV towers that will relay the PTV4 signal from Metro Manila.
The DICT welcomed this idea and they are willing to coordinate with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) so that PTV 4 can relay its broadcast to the provinces which will put up the TV towers.
Currently, there are only six (6) areas outside Metro Manila where PTV 4 has its presence, the Capitol Media report bares.