TUBA, Benguet(PIA) — Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has given his assurance that last-mile schools will continue to be prioritized by the government.
Angara was referring to the Department of Education (DepEd) “Last Mile Schools Program” that aims to address the gaps in resources and facilities of schools that are in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
He highlighted this when he led the inauguration and turnover of the newly constructed Andolor Elementary School (ES) building in Tabaan Sur in Tuba, Benguet on February 25, 2025.
Traversing through winding and narrow roads, the Andolor ES can be reached after, at least, a two-hour drive from the Tuba municipal capitol.
Angara said that no child will be left behind in education under the “Bagong Pilipinas” vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Ito po ang sinasabi ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na walang maiiwan sa sistema ng edukasyon sa ilalim ng Bagong Pilipinas [campaign]. Kahit malayo, kahit mahirap puntahan, kahit sa taas, sa tuktok ng bundok, hindi po magsu-suffer o hindi mawawalan, hindi mauubusan ng resources para ibuhos dito ng Department of Education,” he said.
While the building is currently solar-powered, Angara shared that plans to energize the Andolor ES and other last mile schools are on the pipeline.
“Sa ilalim po ng Bagong Pilipinas ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, we are working to electrify the remaining, sa DepEd ho meron tayong remaining public schools na mahigit 45,000.00, may 1,500 pa ho tayo na wala pang kuryente, ito ‘yung tinatawag na last mile schools tulad ng Andolor Elementary School,” he said.
Last-mile schools as defined under DepEd Memorandum No. 059, series of 2019, are those schools particularly located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. These schools have gaps indicators, including having less than four classrooms, with makeshift or nonstandard rooms, absence of electricity, and have not been allocated funds for repairs or new construction projects in the last four years.
Travel distance of more than one hour from town center, or with difficulty of terrain, having multigrade classes/rooms, less than five teachers, student population of less than 100, and learners with more than 75 percent indigenous people are also among the indicators.
Andolor ES School Principal Rodel Tomilas shared that the school started as a mobile school in 1993, utilizing a private residence. Benefactors later on donated an area for a school to be built.
“Ti gapu nga indonate mi daytoy para kadigiyay ubbing mi nga kakaasi nga mapan ijay Indaoac idi awan pay eskwelaan ditoy, ”Florencio Dagman, a lot donor said.
(The reason why we donated the lot is because it was distressing to see our children travel far to Indaoac to study as there was no school here.)
Parents, community members, and the school administration thanked the DepEd for the school.
“Ag-yaman kami iti DepEd kasi inprovide da ti world-class nga school para kanyami uray kasanu kinaadayo na daytoy lugar mi ket in-itedan da dakami piman, isunga daytoy ti inspirasyon dagiti estudyante tapno mas simpaen da paylaeng ti panag-eskwela, ag-adal enggana malpas da” Derlyn Calawa, Parents and Teachers Association president said.
(We thank the DepEd for providing us a world-class school even if we are in a remote area. This will be an inspiration for our children to study hard until they finish.)
The DepEd also turned over learning tools including 10 tablet computers and a laptop to benefit the 66 learners of Andolor ES. (JDP/ CVBT-PIA CAR)
