MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has committed to prioritizing last-mile schools (LMSs) as part of its goal to improve education access in remote and underserved areas.
“Last mile doesn’t have to be last priority,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated during school visits in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Prioritizing Education in Remote Areas
Last-mile schools are those with fewer than four classrooms, often in makeshift conditions, and lacking electricity, proper infrastructure, and funding for repairs or new construction. These schools are located in geographically isolated areas, requiring long and difficult travel to reach.
Despite these limitations, LMSs serve fewer than 100 students, with less than five teachers, over 75 percent of whom belong to indigenous communities, according to DepEd.
Angara stressed that President Marcos has directed DepEd to prioritize assistance for these schools, aligning with the administration’s equity agenda.
“Our school visits in the Cordillera give us hope, showing that the right interventions can translate to positive outcomes,” he added.
During his visit to Andolor Elementary School, Angara led the turnover of a newly constructed school building, ensuring improved learning spaces for students. He also inaugurated a new facility at the Benguet Special Education Center – Inclusive Learning Resource Center, reinforcing DepEd’s focus on inclusive education.
Angara highlighted that regular visits to different regions help DepEd gain valuable insights as it pursues education reforms.
GSIS Expands Adopt-a-School Program to 30 Schools
In a bid to further support underserved schools, 30 schools across the country will each receive P400,000 worth of learning tools and facilities under DepEd’s adopt-a-school program.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) signed an agreement with DepEd to provide P400,000 per school until 2027, focusing on schools affected by disasters and last-mile schools.
GSIS general manager Wick Veloso stated that the funding will be allocated for laptops, tablets, printers, and other essential learning materials.
“The new agreement expands the original 25 schools to 30, building on the adopt-a-school program’s decade-long track record of supporting 165 schools, with a strategic focus on areas impacted by disasters and last-mile schools,” Veloso explained.
Congress Urged to Investigate Alleged ‘Ghost Students’ in SHS Voucher Program
Meanwhile, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon has urged the House committees on basic education and public accountability to launch a joint inquiry into alleged ‘ghost beneficiaries’ in DepEd’s Senior High School (SHS) voucher program.
Bongalon cited reports that some private schools have been fraudulently listing non-existent students since 2016 to claim government subsidies.
He warned that preliminary findings indicate these bogus enrollees siphoned millions from the education budget, undermining the voucher program’s mission to decongest public schools and assist real students.
Under Vice President Sara Duterte’s leadership, concerns were raised that insufficient oversight allowed the scheme to persist, with critics claiming that her perceived inaction enabled systemic abuse.
Although Education Secretary Angara has already initiated an internal probe into 12 private schools across nine divisions for allegedly submitting fake student enrollments, Bongalon insisted that Congress must conduct its own investigation to introduce necessary reforms.
Beyond the SHS voucher scandal, Bongalon noted a broader pattern of financial irregularities during the Duterte administration.
“Remember retired police officer Arturo Lascañas’ testimony in 2017, where he revealed that funds for supposed ‘ghost employees’ in Davao City – during Rodrigo Duterte’s mayoral tenure – were used for clandestine operations?” Bongalon remarked.
As DepEd works to strengthen support for last-mile schools and ensure transparency in its programs, the need for accountability and oversight remains crucial in safeguarding education funding for Filipino students.
