The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture chaired by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo approved the consolidated version of House Bills 650 and 1947, which seeks to establish public schools in geographically isolated disadvantaged conflict-affected areas (GIDCAS), and access roads leading to last mile public schools.
Last mile public schools refer to schools in far-flung areas, located in the farthest areas or hours away from town centers and which have less than four classrooms.
Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda, author of HB 650, said the bill would require the convergence of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and of the Department of Education (DepEd) in comprehensive planning and construction of infrastructures that would benefit public students, such as the GIDCAS and Last Mile Public Schools.
“Though many do not realize the connection between roads and education, economists have stressed for years that underinvestments in roads and schools is holding the country back.”
“Though many do not realize the connection between roads and education, economists have stressed for years that underinvestments in roads and schools is holding the country back,” Salceda said.
“HB 1947 would not only protect the physical welfare of students, but would also improve the effectiveness of education in designated areas.”
Meanwhile, Tingog Party-list Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre both cited that their HB 1947 would not only protect the physical welfare of students, but would also improve the effectiveness of education in designated areas.
Agusan del Norte 2nd District Representative Dale Corvera said that if the government could construct roads leading to tourism sites, then it should also be able to construct roads leading to last mile public schools.
Meanwhile, the committee also approved HB 3133, authored by Cavite 2nd District Representative Lani Revilla renaming the Bacoor National High School – Tabing Dagat Annex (BNHS-TDA) as Padre Mariano Gomez National High School.
The proposed school name bears a historical and cultural significance, and would also have a very positive implication to national pride and patriotism, according to Revilla.
“Mariano Gomez will be such an inspiration and influence to our pupils,” the lady legislator said.
Padre Mariano Gomez was one of the three martyred GomBurZa priests.
