Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) distributed internet connection kits to 20 Pala’wan students from Sitio Proper, Barangay Sandoval, Bataraza to help them in their online learning.

Grade 6 pupil Danilo Hilum, one of the beneficiaries, said the pocket wifi that they received could be a big help for their on-line studies.

“Malaking tulong pa itong mga pocket wifi para sa aming pag-aaral lalo na sa aming pagri-research dahil wala naman kaming kakayahang bumili nito,” said Danilo.

Because of this, Danilo expressed gratitude to RTNMC for the said support.

Community development organizer Melissa Didik said the mining company utilized its remaining fund in the 2020 Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) to purchase pocket wifis for Pala’wan students.

“Ang hirap din kasi para sa mga bata ‘yong access papuntang school tapos pauwi, kasi may ibang nag-aaral sa Gotoc, may Rio Tuba rin. Iyong module kasi nila ay mahirap din ma-explain sa kanila ng teachers lalo na kung ang mga bahay ay layo-layo. Nag-request ‘yong chieftain nila ng wi-fi para kahit papaano ay mag-research na lang sila sa cellphone ng explanation sa pinag-aaralan nila,” she said.

The 20 students are all scholars of the mining company in Sitio Proper, Barangay Sandoval from elementary to college levels.

The budget allocated for the project amounts to P21,980 from SDMP in the educational sector.

Didik added that the mining company observed the struggles of the students to pursue their studies, especially in the new educational landscape in the new normal situation.

“Nakikita naman natin kung gaano kahirap para sa mga bata lalo na ‘yong parents na hindi rin makatulong dahil sa wala rin tinapos. Kahit papaano ay nagpupursige sila kahit sila-sila lang, sa ngayon ay may makukunan na rin sila sa internet. May tower na rin sa kanila ng Globe kaya mas mabilis sa kanila mag-access ngayon,” she said.

RTNMC already advised students that the pocket wi-fi kits provided for them should not be sold to others as kits were given for their own benefit.