A TOTAL of 58,380 Bayanihan SIM cards with mobile data will be distributed to underserved and unserved areas in Davao Region, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Davao announced Monday.
Engr. Eduardo Tuquib, officer-in-charge of DICT-Davao’s Technical Operations Division, said this will provide students and teachers access to digital learning and online resources.
DICT will prioritize students in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) as part of the pilot Bayanihan SIM Project.
Tuquib said every sim will have a free 25 gigabytes of data every month for one year.
The SIM cards will be powered by mobile network providers Smart and Globe, handing out 16,680 and 41,700 pieces, respectively.
In the project, the operators are required to improve signal quality in underserved areas and build mobile network facilities in unserved areas identified in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd).
The identified schools include Awao Elementary School, Napnapan National High School NHS, Kilagding NHS, Talian ES, Prosperidad ES, Boringot ES, Panamin ES, Barubo ES, Andili NHS, and Camanlangan ES in Davao de Oro.
The project includes Malupo Es in Davao del Sur; San Isidro ES, Barobo ES, and Sagayen ES in Davao del Norte; and L. Tamay and Maragatas ES in Davao Oriental.
In Davao Occidental, schools included are William Joyce Sr. Elementary School, Don Marcelino NHS, Harden Joyce Integrated School, Calian ES, and Julian M. Turado ES.
Tuquib clarified that the pilot implementation covers 12 months, and no talks yet on project continuity.
