Malacañang is working with state-run TV and radio stations on a proposal to utilize the government’s broadcast facilities for distance learning, Palace Communications chief Martin Andanar said Thursday.

Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. (IBC) and radio stations under Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) are being eyed for use for the simulcast airing of lessons by the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Tomorrow (June 19), mayroon kaming meeting with the entire IBC at PBS, inihahanda namin ang presentations para po sa perusal ng DepEd,” he said in an interview over DWIZ.

Licensed teachers will serve as virtual educators under the proposal.

“So, sa telebisyon, iyong magtuturo, teacher talaga…mag-a-assist ang PBS pagdating sa technical requirements,” Andanar explained.

The government is also planning on increasing the transmission power of government stations and even tapping other radio stations so students in far-flung areas would be reached by broadcast signals.

Andanar also said President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to source funding for transistor radios to be distributed to students in far-flung areas was more practical, compared with procuring tablets or TV sets for students in remote areas.

As of June 16, DepEd has recorded 11,302,382 enrollees for School Year 2020-2021. John Ezekiel J. Hirro