DepEd lauds DICT for taking action to keep digital spaces safe

MANILA — Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara lauded the Department of Information and Communications Technology for taking action to keep digital spaces safe following the shooting incident at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.

In an interview, Angara said the DICT’s quick action shows learner protection should include digital spaces.

“Yung DICT kinilusan na nila yung ibang apps na alam natin nag rerecruit kung sino-sino, para yung mga bata nilalason po yung kanilang mga utak. At least ngayon medyo nag strikto na si DICT,” Angara said.

Angara said, “Natutuwa kami dahil siempre ang mga bata dapat talaga i-supervise yung internet use nila. Nakita natin sa ibang bansa, ipinagbawal na nga yung below 15, below 16 na gumamit ng social media apps.”

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, a DICT attached agency, on Wednesday said that platforms Reddit and Discord have agreed to set up offices in the Philippines, following a 24-hour deadline it had set.  The move will facilitate and improve coordination between the platforms and local law enforcement and cybersecurity agencies.

Angara reiterated the need to supervise children’s online actions, expressing concern that digital spaces are being exploited to manipulate minors into committing real-world acts of violence.

“Nakita natin mahirap pag unsupervised ang mga bata sa social media. Lahat yan ay isasama sama natin. Ang gusto ng Pangulo na mas safe and secure ang school communities, mas bonded tayo, mas malapit po tayo sa isa’t isa.”

Angara today led the launch of “ADOPT ICT” in Pakil, Laguna. The initiative, supported by Prime Infra Foundation and Ahunan Power, aims to expand reliable internet access across public schools in Laguna.

During the launch, the DepEd secretary highlighted how reliable internet connectivity can keep learning uninterrupted despite frequent bad weather.

Schools included in the program will be given Starlink units, with Ahunan Power covering the monthly subscription fees for three years.

“Yung digital connectivity malaking bagay ho yan…Para makapag access more research material ang ating mga guro, pati ang ating mga estudyante at yung connectivity pati ang potential nyan pag may sakuna, may kalamidad pwdeng mag-aral from home,” Angara said.