A consumer advocacy group is calling on the government, telecommunications companies, and educational institutions to align digital infrastructure expansion with education reforms, according to a report by Philstar Biz.
The group emphasized that while the Philippines has seen significant progress in rolling out fiber optic cables, 5G networks, and satellite connectivity to underserved areas, these investments risk being underutilized if the population lacks the digital skills to leverage them. Without corresponding improvements in digital literacy curricula and teacher training, the group argued, the digital divide may persist even as connectivity improves.
The advocacy group urged policymakers to mandate digital competency frameworks in basic education, expand public-private partnerships for device and data subsidies, and launch community-based training programs. It also called on telcos to include education bundles in their service offerings and on schools to integrate digital tools into lesson plans, warning that infrastructure alone cannot bridge the gap without a skilled populace.