The Pasig city government on Monday discussed with its public school principals and teachers about the usage and distribution of digitalized learning materials in preparation for the opening of classes in October.

Mayor Vico Sotto said the city government will be distributing some 77,000 tablets for elementary pupils and 63,000 tablets for high school students as part of the city’s initiatives amid the shift to a blended distance learning system.

About 5,220 laptops will be distributed to public school teachers within the city while some of the devices will be given to college students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig (PLP).

Students with Information and Technology (IT) subjects will also get laptops, he said.

“Sana magamit niyo yang motibasyon sa inyong pag-aaral (I hope you can use it as motivation to study hard),” he said.

Sotto clarified that each student within the household will also receive tablets.

“Basta naka-enroll ka sa school, makakakuha ka ng tablet (As long as you are enrolled in school, you will get a tablet),” he said, noting that a barangay certificate is not a requirement to receive the intended gadget.

Sotto assured the public of a fair and honest procurement process using the PHP1.3-billion budget of the city, in a bid to support the needs of the education sector and the students amid the pandemic.

He added that the procurement law was strictly observed during the pre-bidding conference and purchasing process for the learning materials dedicated to the Pasig’s public school students.

“PHP1.3-billion of your money (taxpayers money) used wisely, effectively and honestly,” Sotto said, noting that the qualified bidders are chosen depending on the approved budget of contract and bidding standards which they reasonably met.

Meanwhile, Sotto said since the city government was able to save money from the PHP1.3-billion budget, the fund will be used to procure additional tablets and laptops for late enrollees and transferee students in Pasig.

The city government is set to turn over the laptops and tablets to the city’s public schools on Sept. 30.

School principals and teachers are tasked to officially distribute the gadgets to the students beginning Oct. 1.

The city government has already started the inspection of the tablets on Sept. 24 to ensure the quality of the items before the scheduled distribution period. (PNA)