Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday issued an urgent plea to telecommunications companies (telcos) to improve the delivery of their services as schools and families continue to confront significant challenges in their transition to blended learning.

“Bayad naman kayo. Paki-usap, ayusin niyo naman po. ‘Yun na ang tulong niyo sa panahong ito. Ayusin niyo ang serbisyo niyo….maraming Pilipino na gustong mag-aral at makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ngayong school year. Tapos kailangan pang lumalabas para humanap ng signal (You were already paid, so please improve your services. This is your contribution during the current health emergency. Many Filipinos want to learn and finish their studies this school year. But they have to go out to get internet signal),” Go said.

“Even officials, like us, we have difficulties during our Senate sessions. Internet signal is intermittent and we can’t hear each other. How much more for those in far-flung areas?” Go said.

He warned telecom companies that he would personally raise the matter with the President should complaints from their customers continue to persist.

“Full support kami ni Pangulong Duterte sa mga telcos pero interes na po ng mga kababayan natin ang pag-uusapan. Magsasalita na po ako kapag ‘di niyo inayos ang serbisyo. Ibubulong ko kay Pangulo Duterte ang mga kapalpakan na nangyayari sa telcos (President Duterte and I fully support the telcos but it is now the interest of our countrymen that is at stake. I will talk if you {telcos} do not improve your services. I will whisper to the President that the services of telcos are not acceptable),” the senator said.

Go, who also serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, noted the impact of the crisis on the mental health of Filipinos, particularly the youth.

In calling for better telecommunications service, Go voiced concern over the impact of the transition to new modes of teaching and learning as well as the social and economic consequences of the pandemic on the mental and emotional well-being of families.

“Marami ang nade-depress, experiencing anxiety. ‘Yun ang tutukan nating mga Pilipino, ‘yung depression na nararamdaman (Many are depressed, they are experiencing anxiety. That is what we have to focus on, the depression),” he added.

Go stressed the country could no longer wait before addressing the critical need for better broadband services as schools, businesses, and government services transition online.

He said the responsibility now lies with the telcos after efforts have been made to streamline the permits process for the construction of cell towers by reducing the number of requirements from 86 to 35 and the processing time from an average of eight months to just 16 days.

A bill that will help accelerate the rollout of telecommunication infrastructure is also set to be signed into law.

Senate Bill 1844, a measure co-authored and co-sponsored by Go, shall give the President of the Philippines the authority to expedite the processing and issuance of national and local permits, licenses, and certifications in times of national emergency.

“President Duterte is helping you, so there’s no reason for the delay (in improving services). For the telcos, the ball is now in your hands,” he said.

“Do something. Don’t pass the problem to the people. Many Filipinos are in difficult situations now. Improve your services as you have already been paid. Service first before profit,” he said.