MANILA — Sen. Bam Aquino sponsored a measure seeking to institutionalize government support for public basic education schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).

Presenting Senate Bill No. 1937 under Committee Report No. 43, Aquino said the proposed Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) Schools Act aims to address the needs of so-called “Last Mile Schools” that continue to face shortages in facilities, teachers, and learning resources.

“Mr. President, magandang hapon sa ating lahat, mga kasama, magandang araw sa inyong lahat. Mga kababayan at kapwa ko Pilipino, magandang araw po sa ating lahat,” Aquino said in his sponsorship speech.

“The Committee on Basic Education is pleased to present Senate Bill Number 1937, under Committee Report Number 43, otherwise known as “An Act Institutionalizing Support for Public Basic Education Schools in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) and Appropriating Funds Therefor”,” he added.

Aquino acknowledged the work of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) and its co-chair, Roman Romulo, for helping craft the proposed legislation.

“Nais po nating pasalamatan ang EDCOM 2 at ang ating co-chair sa EDCOM, Representative Roman Romulo para po sa panukalang ito. Dahil po sa batas na ito, mabibigyan ng tamang suporta ang mga sa tinatawag na “Last Mile Schools” o paaralan sa Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas o GIDA,” Aquino said.

The senator said consultations and widely shared online videos have highlighted the difficult conditions faced by students living in remote communities.

“Ayon sa ating mga konsultasyon, at batay na rin sa mga nagti-trending na viral videos, nakita natin na napakahirap pa rin ng buhay ng mga estudyante sa mga malalayong lugar. Mayroon pa ring pong mga estudyante na kailangang lumangoy sa ilog, tumawid sa mga sira-sirang tulay, at maglakad ng ilang oras bago makarating sa paaralan. Napapanood lang po natin iyan. Sila, nararanasan po nila iyan araw-araw,” Aquino said.

He added that some schools in remote areas continue to suffer from inadequate facilities, limited teaching staff, and lack of access to learning materials, internet connectivity, and student support programs.

“At para sa iilang estudyante, pagdating nila sa paaralan ay kulang naman sa guro, sira-sira ang mga classroom, at minsan ay sabay-sabay ang klase sa iisang silid kahit na iba-iba ang antas ng mga estudyante. Bukod dito, limitado pa rin ang kanilang access sa learning materials, mga textbook, internet, at sa mga programa tulad ng school-based feeding program at mental health programs,” Aquino said.

The measure also seeks to address challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples (IP) students and those living in conflict-affected areas, including the need for culturally responsive education.

“Para naman sa mga IP o Indigenous Peoples at sa mga estudyante at mga estudyante sa conflict-affected areas, nahihirapan din po sila dahil hindi angkop ang kurikulum at kultura at konteksto ng kanilang komunidad,” he said.

Aquino said the proposed legislation focuses on three key areas of support: students, teachers, and communities.

For students, the bill proposes accessibility standards requiring that schools be located within three kilometers of students’ homes whenever possible, or that safe and affordable transportation be provided where distance or terrain makes this impractical.

“Una po, suporta sa mga estudyante. Itinataguyod po natin ang isang pamantayan para sa accessibility: Kailangang may paaralan sa loob ng tatlong kilometrong distansya kung lalakarin ng mga estudyante. At kung hindi po iyon posible dahil sa geography ng isang GIDA, dapat mayroong ligtas at murang transportasyon para sa mga estudyante,” Aquino said.

“Uulitin ko po, magkakaroon ng polisiya ang ating gobyerno na bawat estudyanteng Pilipino, mayroong paaralan sa loob ng tatlong kilometrong distansiya. Ito po’y hindi pa rin napapatupad kahit 2026 na po, at nais nating makita mapatupad na po ito,” he added.

The proposal also includes provisions to build more classrooms, improve school environments, and coordinate with various government agencies to ensure access to roads, electricity, and internet connectivity.

“Kasama rin sa ating panukala ang probisyon para sa pagtatayo ng sapat na mga classroom at pagpapabuti ng kanilang learning environment. Kabilang na po dito ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa iba’t ibang kagawaran ng pamahalaan upang matiyak na mayroong mga daan, mayroong kuryente at mayroong internet connection sa mga paaralan sa GIDA areas,” he said.

The bill also seeks to strengthen support for teachers assigned to remote schools by providing incentives and allowances.

“Pangalawa po, suporta sa mga guro. Kapag na-assign ang isang guro sa isang GIDA school, kasama na rin po sila sa mga nahihirapang pumasok araw-araw. Sa totoo lang po, many of the teachers in these GIDA go to work on Monday and only come home on Friday,” Aquino said.

“Mahalaga pong mabigyan sila ng suporta at insentibo ang mga guro na nagtuturo sa malalayong lugar—sapagkat doble po ang hirap na kanilang pinagdaraanan. Kasama po sa ating panukala ay ang hardship pay, transportation at hardship allowances, at tulong sa tirahan o probisyon para sa staff housing,” he added.

Aquino said the bill also prioritizes hiring teachers from local communities, noting that they are more familiar with the culture and circumstances of students in GIDA areas.

The measure further calls for stronger collaboration among agencies such as the Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Energy, and Department of Information and Communications Technology to address infrastructure and connectivity gaps affecting schools in remote areas.

“Pangatlo po, suporta sa mga komunidad. Sabi nga po, ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ Kaya mahalaga na tulungan din natin ang mga komunidad sa GIDA,” Aquino said.

The senator added that the Department of Education would coordinate with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to ensure the protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly in relation to ancestral lands.

“Mr. President, mga kasama, inaasahan natin na magkakaisa tayo upang maipasa ang ating panukalang batas para sa mga estudyante, guro, at komunidad sa GIDA – o tinatawag na Last Mile Schools,” Aquino said.

“Anuman ang layo ng kanilang kinaroroonan, tiyakin natin na sa gitna ng hirap ng buhay ay may gobyernong kaagapay sa pagtupad ng kanilang mga pangarap,” he added.

“This is a key step towards addressing our education crisis. We hope that with the passage of this measure, every child in GIDA or Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas will have access to quality education—supported by dedicated teachers, proper facilities, and the active involvement of their communities,” Aquino said.