Manila launches 'School Bus WiFi' project

CALOOCAN CITY, Oct. 21 (PIA) - The City Government of Manila in cooperation with Globe Telecom and Ayala Group of Companies officially launched the School Bus WiFi Project, on Monday, October 19.

Manila Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso and Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah 'Honey' Lacuna-Pangan led on Monday, October 19, the launching of the 10 school bus wifi in Kartilya ng Katipunan.

Domagoso emphasized the importance of a strong partnership between the city government and the private sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Isa lang talaga ang patunay na kapag ang pamahalaan at private sector maganda ang relasyon, walang animosities among each other, I think we will be a better country," Domagoso said.

Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu and Chairman and CEO of the Ayala Corporation Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, were present during the launch.

Ayala said it has always been a pleasure for his team to work hand in hand with the Manila City government, particularly in responding to the public's needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

To recall, the Ayala Group of Companies shouldered more than P8 million for the construction of the second RT-PCR molecular laboratory at the Sta. Ana Hospital, an institution owned and operated by the Manila City government.

"The COVID-19 has created a lot of difficulties for people and interacting on the internet has become one of the primary pain points that we have. So to have a chance to contribute in some way to the City of Manila and work with the City of Manila, giving people access to the internet is a pleasure that we have,"Ayala said.

In response, Domagoso assured Ayala that they will continue to be an efficient local government unit.

"We will make sure na ang lahat ng tinutulong niyo ay may naiitutumbok na suliranin. We will utilize every single cent of all those assistance that you give ay mauuwi sa tao, mahahawakan ng tao, mararamdaman ng tao," the mayor said.

Using the KonekTayo WiFi service, Globe Telecom deployed 10 school buses equipped with special antennas that will broadcast WiFi signal from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. everyday.

The school buses were installed along Pasaje del Carmen Street, Remigio Street, 853 Gonzalo Gil Puyat Street, 924 Bilibid Viejo Street, Tomas Mapua Street, Alfonso Mendoza Street, Dalupan Street, Oroqueta Street, and Basco Street.

The project aims to help the students and teachers conduct their online classes under the "blended distance learning" mode prescribed by the Department of Education. (MPIO/PIA-NCR)