DepEd close to completing SIM, data load distribution
THE Department of Education (DepEd) has nearly completed the delivery of procured SIM cards with connectivity load to field offices as part of the government’s assistance for teachers and education frontliners under the Bayanihan 2 Act.
“With the support from President Duterte and our lawmakers, we were able to distribute these sim cards with connectivity load. We are already 96% in terms of delivering additional communication allowance for our teachers and personnel. This is a welcome development as we continue our preparations in ensuring learning continuity for the upcoming school year,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.
According to the delivery report status, 222 out of 230 regional offices and division offices have received SIM cards for their personnel. Supplies for Dinagat Island (Caraga), Manila (NCR), Batanes (Region II), Lanao del Norte (Region X), and DepEd Region XII Office are all in transit.
Based on the distribution and actual usage report last August 2, 235,645 SIM cards were being used, while other regions and divisions will soon update the SIM cards’ distribution, activation and actual usage.
All SIM cards will be activated with an initial 34GB load, consumable for one year.
Teaching and non-teaching personnel must fill out the online registration form at https://depedconnect.com.ph before picking up the SIM card. This will also ensure that the SIM card will be allocated with another load for the second month.
“This will ensure the ease in communication and unhampered delivery of services in education in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del B. Pascua said.
In the memorandum released by the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration on July 1, permanent, contractual and local government unit-paid personnel working under DepEd schools and offices are eligible to receive SIM cards.
These efforts are spearheaded by the Information and Communications Technology Service headed by Director Abram Abanil, under the Administration Strand led by Pascua and Assistant Secretary Salvador Malana III. It is part of the Public Schools of the Future Framework of the Administration Strand under the leadership Briones.
