Education is transforming in a remote corner of La Union, where lush greenery meets tranquil waters.
A humble banca, or small boat, now serves as a bridge to knowledge and opportunity for the people of Isla Solomon in Barangay Pugo, Bauang, La Union.
This is the story of Bangka Para sa Karunungan (Bangkarunungan), a project launched by the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of La Union.
The project was formally launched on Dec. 2, 2024, with the restored banca officially granted to the Doctolero family to empower learners in one of the province’s most isolated areas.
Isla Solomon comprises approximately 26 households and is accessible via a short boat ride from the mainland and a five-minute walk to the community.
The project is part of a parallel learning system in the Philippines called Alternative Learning System (ALS) which provides opportunities for out-of-school youth and adults to obtain basic literacy, high school diplomas, and access to further education or skills training.
Education meets innovation
Accessing education has long challenged ALS teachers and learners in Isla Solomon. Due to unreliable transportation, teachers previously visited the island only two or three times a month. Each trip was costly, requiring private boats that were often unavailable due to fishing schedules.
ALS Teacher Virgilio Hilario Costales of the Bauang North District said that accessing Isla Solomon has always been a challenge for educators, with transportation being one of the biggest obstacles.
“Traveling to Isla Solomon was a major hurdle. We had to plan trips based on boat availability, and the expense often limited the frequency of our learning sessions,” he said.
The “Bangkarunungan” project, spearheaded by the ALS Bauang North District, addressed these challenges. The initiative restored a banca donated by the Doctolero family and converted it into a reliable transportation service for ALS teachers.
Dr. Joselito Pascua, Education Program Specialist II for ALS, shared that with the motorized bangka now in operation, visits to Isla Solomon have become more consistent, occurring twice a week.
“My schedule is set for Thursdays and Fridays alongside Sir Virgilio Hilario Costales, while Teachers Ruth Garcia and Cherry Rimpillo alternate their visits. My monitoring schedule has improved to twice a month, ensuring more frequent oversight,” Pascua said.
Pascua added that having a dedicated banca for the ALS Bauang North District would benefit many by making education more accessible to Isla Solomon.
A community-driven solution
For Jarred Doctolero, the official “bangkero” and a direct beneficiary of the project, the “Bangkarunungan” initiative exemplifies a dual benefit: supporting education while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for his family.
“I am deeply thankful to ALS and Sir Joselito Pascua, as well as the ALS teachers, for the ‘Bangkarunungan’ project. This initiative has significantly boosted our livelihood while also helping the ALS teachers and visitors who come to Isla Solomon,” Doctolero shared.
The project integrates income generation with the banca, which is also used for fishing to fund operational expenses such as gasoline and learning materials.
The Doctolero family was chosen as the project’s recipient due to their active involvement in the community and willingness to donate the banca. Stakeholders approved rebuilding the family’s banca as a solution that addressed logistical challenges while fostering economic development.
A classroom without walls
Isla Solomon’s Community Learning Center (CLC) is central to the initiative. This semi-permanent facility provides essential learning resources for ALS learners, including solar-powered lighting for nighttime study, educational materials such as books and modules, and a safe space for collaborative learning.
Designated as a Type 2 CLC by the DepEd, the center caters to out-of-school youth and adult learners, offering an inclusive environment to pursue education.
Type 2 facilities are semi-concrete structures primarily built from lightweight materials like nipa and softwood, designed for ALS learning sessions and related activities, and furnished with essential furniture and learning equipment.
Turning challenges into opportunities
The “Bangkarunungan” project builds on earlier initiatives: the 2022 literacy mapping activity, which identified 26 households and enrolled 15 ALS learners, and the 2023 “Light a Community” project, which brought solar power to the island. By 2025, the project will ensure consistent transportation and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the Doctolero family.
“This project reduces transportation costs and enables ALS teachers to dedicate more time to learners. Meanwhile, when the banca is not in use, the Doctolero family can use it for their livelihood,” Pascua explained.
A bright horizon ahead
Jiro Calica Lavaro, an ALS passer and NC2 holder from Isla Solomon, shared how the program transformed his life.
“The ALS program has been a huge help to me and my family. Through ALS, I earned my high school diploma and enrolled in TESDA for NC2 certification, which I successfully completed. I am proud to say I am the first on our island to obtain an NC2 certification. The ALS teachers encouraged me to pursue studies at TESDA,” Lavaro said.
He added that he was thrilled to learn about ALS Bauang North’s “Bangkarunungan” project, as it would allow teachers to visit the island more frequently to teach and assist his neighbors.
Monthly evaluations by ALS focal persons ensure the project meets its objectives, providing educational access and community development.
For the people of Isla Solomon, the banca represents more than transportation—it is a vessel of transformation, unity, and opportunity.
“The project inspires us to keep learning and building a better future,” Jarred Doctolero said.
The ripples of its impact are set to inspire generations to come. (AMB/CCMT/AIHR, PIA Region 1)
