Two lawmakers appealed to the Senate to support two House-approved education reform measures that aim to make education more accessible, equitable, and inclusive for every Filipino learner.
TINGOG Party-list Reps. Andrew Julian Romualdez and Jude Acidre made the appeal as they welcomed the approval on final reading of House Bill 4744, or the Private Basic Education Vouchers Assistance Act, and House Bill 4745, or the Last Mile Schools Act.
The Private Basic Education Vouchers Assistance Act, a priority measure under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Common Legislative Agenda, institutionalizes a national voucher program to help families afford private schooling. It also establishes the Bureau of Private Education under the Department of Education (DepEd) to oversee and enhance assistance programs for students, teachers, and schools.
“Education should never be a matter of privilege or proximity. Through the Private Basic Education Vouchers Assistance Act and the Last Mile Schools Act, we are making sure that learning opportunities reach every Filipino learner—whether in private school classrooms or the most remote villages,” TINGOG said in a statement.
The party-list group said the passage of these measures reflects the shared resolve of Congress and the national government to advance education as a cornerstone of development. It reaffirmed its commitment to pursue policies that expand learning opportunities, strengthen education governance, and ensure that no Filipino learner is left behind.
The measure also updates the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE) Act, or Republic Act No. 8545, to reinforce the role of private schools as partners in easing classroom congestion and expanding access to quality learning.
Meanwhile, the Last Mile Schools Act seeks to bridge the infrastructure gap that continues to deprive thousands of children in remote and disadvantaged communities of reliable access to education.
The measure institutionalizes a five-year nationwide program to ensure that schools in geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and conflict-affected areas (GIDCA) have the facilities and connectivity needed to deliver quality education. It directs the DepEd to coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Energy (DOE), National Electrification Administration (NEA), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to construct classrooms, improve access roads, and expand electricity and internet services in last-mile areas.
