Malampaya social arm Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) partners with Department of Education (DepEd) to support Palaweños conduct distance learning through the installation of FM radio stations in several public schools across Malampaya’s impact zone.
Last 29 January, PSFI turned over FM radio equipment and rechargeable winding radios to the project’s pilot site in Barangay Abongan, Taytay, Palawan. The FM radio station will support the needs of public school teachers and their students as they conduct Modular Distance Learning (MDL). Abongan Elementary School is one of the 10 schools benefitting from the project.
“We are in a new normal situation; I can imagine with great sympathy the challenges the school management had to go through to try to provide the students with quality education despite the pandemic for our bright future. I am very glad that the Pilipinas Shell Foundation was able to help us, for us to overcome this situation, this project helps to supplement the Modular Distance Learning,” shared Jezerel Magon, a student of Abongan Elementary School.
The FM radio station will supplement printed modules and can be accessed by students located around the school area via radio transistors. This will help ensure the continuous learning of the students as teachers will take turns in holding lectures on air, while curbing the spread of COVID-19.
“Napakalaking bagay ang ibinigay ninyong suporta dito sa Barangay Abongan. Yung dinulot ng Pandemyang ito ay parang nag-back to the future tayo gamit ang RBI na noong 1950’s ay nagagamit na, at sana po ay hindi kayo magsawang tumulong sa amin para sa edukasyon at naniniwala tayo na ang Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng bayan.”
PSFI’s Php 40,000 investment for the mini FM station will serve the students of Abongan Elementary School under the new normal. The FM radio station will be managed by the beneficiary school, together with DepEd Palawan. This will ensure that while even amidst a pandemic, the youth will have access to quality education.
The facility will also serve as the community’s radio station as it will be used to disseminate information such as COVID-19 updates, community announcements, and current news during the days when there no lectures conducted on air.
