MASBATE CITY, (PIA) — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte inaugurated last Thursday the completed school buildings in three far-flung areas in the Bicol region.
On the morning of November 23, Duterte led the opening of two four-classroom buildings in Dororian National High School and Bato Rural Development High School in the towns of Gigmoto and Bato in Catanduanes province, fulfilling the Department of Education’s plan for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the island province.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte talks to students during her visit to Dororian National High School, a last mile school in Gigmoto, Catanduanes, on Nov. 23, 2023. | Photo from Office of the Vice President
In her speech, she recognized the teachers’ public service and turned over tables, boards, chairs, the Philippine Flag, and additional funds for the schools’ maintenance, operation, and other expenses.
On the same day, Duterte also went to Donsol town in Sorsogon to lead the opening of four new classrooms at Cristo Elementary School, which is located in a remote area of Luzon’s southernmost province.
Duterte dissuaded students from dropping out and encouraged them to join the Alternative Learning System, which provides access to education for children who cannot attend regular classes due to various circumstances like poverty, disability, geographical and infrastructure challenges, and ongoing conflict.
Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” Marcos, who accompanied her, talked to the teachers about the laws that require allowances and salaries and what the legislators can do about it, Duterte said in a Facebook post on Friday.
Dororian National High School, Bato Rural Development High School, and Cristo Elementary School are part of the Last Mile Schools Program, an initiative that addresses the gaps in resources and facilities of schools located in geographically isolated, disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas, according to Duterte.
Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos turn over the dummy of the classroom keys to the school head of Dororian National High School in Gigmoto, Catanduanes. | Photo from Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook
“The Last Mile Schools under the Department of Education are usually small schools with less than four classrooms and the materials are temporary, the facilities are incomplete or have not been repaired in the last five years, there are multi-grade classes with less than five teachers, no electricity or internet connection and usually located in remote or geographically isolated or conflict-affected areas,” Duterte said. (PIA 5)
Cover photo credits: Inday Sara Duterte FB page)
