Manila: A lawmaker on Monday urged local government units to provide support to college students encountering difficulties in meeting class requirements due to a lack of access to digital resources. This, after the Commission on Higher Education allowed higher education institutions to shift fully to online classes amid the ongoing oil crisis.

According to Philippines News Agency, Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos issued a statement highlighting the challenges faced by students. 'Sadly, due to the oil crisis we seem to have reverted to 'pandemic mode' with the shift to online classes. But that shouldn't mean that inequities and gaps that were observed during the pandemic should continue to exist,' Bernos stated.

Bernos expressed hope that LGUs would provide support to students who lack resources, emphasizing that the national crisis must not become an education crisis. She recalled that during the pandemic, various LGU interventions, such as the establishment of free Wi-Fi hubs, internet voucher systems and subsidies, and the distribution of tablets, cellphones, and laptops, helped students cope with the shift to online learning.

'I believe that once again, our LGUs can be instrumental in ensuring that the educational crisis we are facing does not deepen further,' Bernos said. Additionally, the lawmaker called on local governments to explore service contracting agreements in public transport for the benefit of commuters.