Good afternoon everyone! The pandemic and the widening digital divide by Monchito B.

Ibrahim was the article assigned to us as baseline/reference into answering the given following
questions. We are the group 4 and in behalf of my group I will be sharing to you our
understanding and answers to those questions.

To start with…

DIGITAL DIVIDE

 OECD defines that digital divide as the gap between individuals, households,
business and geographic areas at different socio – economic levels with regard to
both their opportunities to access information and communication technologies
(ICT), and to their use of the internet for wide variety of activities.

In simplier word or definition Digital Divide is -

- is the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those
who do not.

Now adays we can all agree on that the internet has become very vital for it allowed everyone to
cope with the current issue and current crisis. It has become very useful for a wide variety of
activities such as ordering groceries, communicating, learning, baking and accessing information
most especially those related to covid – 19 that benefit from the convenience of using different
platform apps. Enough to say, internet made our lives way more easier. Within just a tap or click,
our tasks or work would turn easier and faster with our command armed with the internet.

But unfortunately - The internet connection here in the Philippines is very poor and it is not a
situation that is not just happening/ prevailing within the country but as well for other developing
countries. About 65 % are internet user in NCR, 32 percent in Mindanao, and with a total
population of 40 percent in the country that still find mobile broad bands rates in the country
expensive.

 As pandemic prevails, the bar has been raised and is revealing a widening in digital
divide. Other than that, it increased the use of digital platforms that arise such
concerns on privacy and cybersecurity a top priority.
 Access to the Internet has become a sore spot for the Philippines lately. Now that
people are working from home, most are finding that their personal providers are
slow, unreliable, or, worst, unavailable, as in there is no connection to the world
wide web at all.
 The pandemic has only put a spotlight on the country’s Internet deficiencies.
THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AMONG HOUSEHOLD APPEARS TO DEPEND PRIMARILY
ON SEVERAL FACTORS ;

 LOCATION
 INCOME
 HOUSEHOLD SIZE
 AGE
 GENDER
 PHYSICAL ABILITY
 EDUCATION

IN THE CASE OF THE PHILIPPINES;

 the biggest variables that come into play would be affordability and the availability
of internet access points or infrastructure


NECESSARY STEPS TO POSSIBLY BRIDGE THE DIGITAL GAP :

 a well coordinated whole of country approach that results to situations where benefit of
digital transformation is inclusive
 government start placing digital transformation program at the front and the center of its
policy agenda
 develop a robust Philippines digital economy to effectively compete in the global
economy; (simply cope up with the effectiveness in digital economy)
 and in able to do so, sustain more dynamic internet infrastructure industry in which small
regional players shall also provide more options to our internet users
 lastly, a government that builds an honest – to – goodness national internet backbone,
making it available to all the players, big or small.

The Philippines has struggled with internet connectivity, unreliable speeds and high
prices for years. Internet in the Philippines is a necessity, and Philippine internet access
is pertinent to eliminating poverty and ridding the Philippines of its label as a ‘developing
country’ by the HDI.

– Clara Mulvihill