FLORIDABLANCA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led Wednesday the turnover to a public school here of the first Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax).

Wimax is a telecommunications technology that provides high-speed wireless Internet access to a wider area.

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The activity was in line with the government's continuing efforts to provide Internet connections, computer literacy training, and access to on-line content for public high schools, particularly in the countryside.

The turnover rites were held at the Paguiruan High School (PHS), a recipient of the Smart Schools Program (SSP), Smart Communications' flagship in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Arroyo, in her speech, said ICT is the way to progress, adding that because of interconnection, one can have access anywhere in the web, via Internet.

Under SSP, PHS will be connected to the Internet via WiMax, the first in SSP's network of 270 schools.

Orlando Vea, Smart's chief wireless advisor, said Smart is rapidly rolling out its WiMax network to cover unserved areas and provide Internet connectivity to places that were once inaccessible.

"It has been our vision to provide Internet for all Filipinos, no matter where they are or what device they're using," Vea said in a statement.

Through WiMax, Vea said Smart intends to replicate the success it achieved in cellular phones in the field of wireless broadband Internet.

"Our WiMax deployment in Paguiruan is only the beginning," he added.

Apart from connectivity, PHS received a Smart Teacher's Learning Resource Center (STLRC) consisting two computers, two webcams, a printer and scanner.

As an SSP partner, the school was given access to online content via the Smart Schools website www.smartschools.ph and received teacher training in computer literacy, ICT integration in the classroom, troubleshooting and maintenance, leadership and website development.

"For the past year, our computer classes only involve learning clerical skills. But now that we have Internet connection, the students have more opportunities to learn," said PHS principal Jesusa Agustin.

She said the school has incorporated computer education in the Technology Livelihood Education (TLE) subject taken by students from first to fourth year.

"We have just attended basic Computer Training (from DepEd) and this is our chance to apply what we have learned," said PHS ICT coordinator Chito Ramos.

Using the computer, Ramos said their classes can now be more interactive.

"Now, we can better meet the needs of our students," he said.

For his part, Smart's Public Affairs Group head Ramon Isberto believes ICT can really help in education not only for the students but, more importantly, for the teachers."

"Our teachers need to learn, too. That's why the main clients of the SLTC are the teachers. It's a learning facility for them so they can better help their students," Isberto said.

Smart's initiatives to help promote ICT in education via SSP are part of the company's "Internet for all" advocacy.

The program also supports the objective of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Information and Communications Technology's Internet Connectivity Project.

It is implemented through the Philippine Business for Social Progress, with the support of DepEd.

For his part, Mayor Eddie Guerrero thanked President Arroyo, saying Floridablanca will not be a progressive town without her and her son's (congressman Mikey Arroyo) supports as well as the private companies like Smart. (Chris Navarro)