Guided questions

1. What is the picture all about?

The caricature is all about the slow internet connection of our country. It was represented by
showing a boy putting roller skates on a turtle. It clearly shows the average Filipino “Juan”
trying to put all of his best efforts to boost the internet connection despite being actually slow
that it can be compared to a turtle. It reflects our day-to-day struggle and the feeling of being
worried about our internet connection.

2. How the issue can affect you?

The issue affects me as a student who constantly relies on internet connection everyday just to
attend classes and submit requirements. Poor or slow internet connection may affect my
performance during the online class, especially when there’s a slow signal or even none at all.
Not all students have the privilege of having Wi-Fi connections at home. Like me, many Filipino
students connect to the online world by means of loading our prepaid sims. It really is a hard
undertaking because it is quite expensive and it makes me feel worried at times that my load will
not suffice for the day.

3. Give at least 3 possible issues or concerns that can be raise in this topic. After giving 3
examples please explain and elaborate each issue/concern.

The caricature above raises different issues and concerns related to our country’s internet
connection.

First, the online class that is very topical and relevant today. Students mostly rely on internet
connection nowadays to keep up with the current education system. Everyone is expected to
have a stable connection when in reality is impossible due to unforeseeable causes and
circumstances that may arise during the conduct of classes. Aside from students like me, it is
experienced by our teachers as well. With this, I can say that it can affect the teaching strategies
of our professors as well as the learning capacity of us, students due to these adjustments in the
new normal setting.

Second, the Twitter rant of TV actress Liza Soberano last September 6 regarding her connection
with the internet service provider (ISP) Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. In a tweet, she expressed
her total dismay regarding her experience in speed and customer service provided by Converge.
Her tweet gained a lot of sympathies and more complaints were revealed by netizens online. Two
days later, she shared on another tweet that PLDT Inc., another ISP, approached her and rescued
her by offering her a 300 mbps plan. The aforementioned tweet was met with a huge backlash
from other consumers. For some, it could be merely a publicity stunt or marketing that fails
badly, but for me, it is an unjust and unfair move that highlights the privileges enjoyed by the
upper class over the middle and lower ones. Yes, we all struggle with our connections, but that
doesn’t mean that anyone is above the others just because of popularity. At the end of the day,
we are all consumers who pay for the services we get. Fair treatment should always be
implemented.

Lastly, the recent comments of the Department of Information and Communications Technology
(DICT) Secretary Gringo Honasan on the average connection speed of our country. In a
statement, Sec. Honasan said that the internet speed of the Philippines, which is 3 to 7 mbps is
“not that bad” compared to other countries that have an average of around 55 mbps. His remarks
were met with backlash and criticisms from lots of netizens on different social media platforms.
For me, it is foolish to think that it is enough because other countries have the capability to
improve their connection, then why not us, too? Not only is the Philippines’ internet connection
slow but also expensive compared to other countries. The DICT should elevate its standards
regarding this and should look not only on the speed but also the price that is associated with this
in order to improve the connection services provided to us.