The city government here on Wednesday distributed 3,193 tablets to five public schools in the city as part of efforts to help learners shift to online learning amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. led the distribution of the gadgets to the Gov. Rafael Lazatin Integrated School, 1,877 tablets; Sapalibutad Elementary School, 527; Enrica Sandico Elementary School, 221; Salapungan Elementary School, 357; and 211 tablets to Sitio Pader Elementary School.

Last Oct. 3, Lazatin also turned over 359 tablets to Cutud Elementary School; 493 tablets to Marisol Bliss Elementary School; 859 to Epza Resettlement Elementary School; 215 to Pulung Cacutud Elementary School; and 91 to Leoncia Elementary School.

“I am asking for the understanding of parents and teachers, since napakataas po ng demand ng tablets sa mercado kaya ito na po ang earliest na madedeliver sa atin ang mga inorder natin (the demand for tablets in the market is so high. That is why this is the earliest that would be delivered to us for those we ordered),” Lazatin said during the live streamed activity.

Initially, the city government allocated PHP161 million for the procurement of 48,000 tablets to be used by Grade 4 to 12 students in their online classes.

But with the unexpected high number of enrollees this school year, the city government purchased additional 10,000 tablets for the city’s 53 public schools, for a total of 58,000.

The mayor told both students and their parents not to worry, as the city government will double its efforts in making sure they will receive the tablets for their online classes.

Meanwhile, the city government has also released a set of guidelines for students and parents to remind them that the “tablets are intended to aid students in coping with the online learning system” and it should be used solely for learning purposes.

Moreover, the guidelines state that “the devices shall be treated by the students as borrowed items only for the duration of the year, and they are required to surrender them to the school administration by the end of the year”.

Once the tablets are returned in good condition, only then will the students be given a clearance certificate, which will be required for the issuance of their final grades.

Lazatin appealed to all students who will be receiving the tablets to be responsible in handling and using these for the duration of the school year. (PNA)