MARAMING SALAMAT MR. PRESIDENT, DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES.
I RISE TO CO SPONSOR SENATE BILL NO. 1937 UNDER COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 43, WHICH INSTITUTIONALIZES SUPPORT FOR LAST MILE SCHOOLS IN GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED AND DISADVANTAGED AREAS OR (GIDA).
THIS MEASURE SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROMISE THAT EDUCATION MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. SA MARAMING MALAYONG BARANGAY SA PILIPINAS, MADALAS SA ISLA ISLA PA MAY MGA BATANG MAGAARAL NA TUMATAWID NG DAGAT, NAGBABALANCING ACT SA MGA GUMEGEWANG NA TULAY, O NAGLALAKAD SA MAPUTIK NA BUNDOK PARA LANG MAKARATING SA CLASSROOM.
MARAMI SA KANILA AY KABILANG SA KATUTUBONG KOMUNIDAD NA GUSTO LANG MAKAPAG ARAL. THESE REALITIES DO NOT DIMINISH THE COMMITMENT OF OUR TEACHERS OR THE DETERMINATION OF OUR STUDENTS. IF ANYTHING, THEY REFLECT THE RESILIENCE THAT EXISTS IN THESE COMMUNITIES – BUT GOVERNMENT MUST ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS.
THIS BILL PROVIDES A MORE DELIBERATE AND SUSTAINED RESPONSE.
BY ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR IDENTIFYING AND SUPPORTING LAST MILE SCHOOLS, THE MEASURE ALLOWS THE DEPARTMENT (OF EDUCATION) TO DIRECT RESOURCES WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED MOST, WHETHER IN TEACHER DEPLOYMENT, SCHOOL FACILITIES, CONNECTIVITY, OR LEARNER SUPPORT.
THE NATIONAL BUDGET FOR 2026 ALREADY REFLECTS THIS COMMITMENT, WITH AROUND P3 BILLION ALLOCATED FOR LAST MILE SCHOOLS TO HELP IMPROVE LEARNING CONDITIONS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
THE MEASURE ALSO STRENGTHENS COORDINATION ACROSS GOVERNMENT SO THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, ELECTRIFICATION, AND CONNECTIVITY PROGRAMS CAN BETTER SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF THESE SCHOOLS.
MR. PRESIDENT, EDUCATION EXPANDS OPPORTUNITY, AND OPPORTUNITY STRENGTHENS THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION.
THROUGH THIS MEASURE, WE MOVE CLOSER TO ENSURING THAT THE PROMISE OF THE CONSTITUTION REACHES EVERY FILIPINO LEARNER.
AND IF SOME OF OUR CHILDREN MUST CROSS RIVERS (AND) WALK ALONG THE NARROW EMBANKMENTS OF RICE FIELDS JUST TO REACH SCHOOL, THEN IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT WHEN THEY GET THERE THEY HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN ENVIRONMENT CODUCIVE TO LEARNING.
WITH THIS BILL, WE CHOOSE TO CROSS THOSE EMBANKMENTS WITH THEM. WE CHOOSE TO REACH COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE LONG STOOD AT THE MARGINS.
AND IN DOING SO, WE MAKE CLEAR THAT THE MARGINS OF SOCIETY WILL NO LONGER REMAIN AT THE MARGINS. THEY WILL BECOME PART OF THE CENTER OF OUR NATIONAL EFFORT TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE.
FOR THESE REASONS MR. PRESIDENT, I EXPRESS MY FULL SUPPORT FOR SENATE BILL NO. 1937.
MARAMING, MARAMING SALAMAT. ####