MANILA — Senator Bam Aquino called for bringing “Last Mile Schools” closer to students, stressing that no learner should be left behind due to long travel times.

During a Senate Committee on Basic Education hearing on proposals to institutionalize Last Mile Schools in remote areas, Aquino said a proximity-based policy should be adopted to limit students’ travel time to around 30 to 45 minutes.

“In 2026, iyong mga kuwento na kailangan ko pang mag-tatlong oras bago makapunta sa isang eskuwelahan—dapat in 2026, that should be non-existent,” Aquino said.

“We should be able to find, whether it’s an annex oran actual school dapat iyong mga kabataan natin may kakayanan nang makapasok sa hindi naman ganung kahirap na sitwasyon,” he added.

Aquino noted that one of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) key metrics for Last Mile Schools is ensuring students can reach schools within 30 to 45 minutes.

“I haven’t seen it in the current versions stating that every Filipino student should be within 30 to 45 minutes from a school. Kung mayroon tayong lugar na malayo masyado, we should geographically locate where we should be putting up our last-mile schools,” he said.

“That’s something I think that, strategically, the Department can also do,” Aquino added.

Engr. Michael de Guzman, director of DepEd’s Education Facilities Division (EFD), agreed with Aquino’s proposal, saying the agency may establish annex schools closer to students.

“That’s a good idea. Very crucial lang diyan iyong site acquisition. If somebody’s willing to donate that land or if it’s LGU-owned, we can go into an agreement with them so we can utilize that space to build a school,” de Guzman said.

He also suggested converting last-mile schools into integrated schools to allow students to complete both elementary and high school in the same area.

“Pinag-aral mo nga ng elementary. Nakatapos ng elementary. Pag nag-high school pupunta naman siya sa napakalayong lugar, baka tamarin. Mas maganda na nandodoon na rin siya,” de Guzman said.

Aquino welcomed the proposal, saying the Senate Committee on Basic Education, which he chairs, needs policy recommendations that go beyond infrastructure, supplies, and manpower.