The House of Representatives keenly awaits Senate approval of a House-approved measure authored by ex-Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez designed to provide easier access to education for children in the country’s most remote and conflict-affected areas.
House Bill No. 04745, approved on third reading by the House on Oct. 13, 2025, aimed to establish public basic education schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and conflict-affected communities to address what education officials described as the country’s “last-mile” schools.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, a co-author, on Sunday said the bill responds directly to conditions faced by learners in far-flung, disaster-prone, and post-conflict communities.
“Every school opening reminds us that distance, insecurity, and damaged access roads are still keeping children out of the classroom. This measure finally institutionalizes the solution — by bringing schools to the communities that need them most,” Adiong said in a statement.
According to the Department of Education, over 2.5 million learners live in areas officially classified as GIDAs.
The organization Save the Children Philippines reported that four in 10 households in remote communities cited distance to school as the primary reason children fall behind or stop attending, with girls particularly vulnerable due to safety concerns during long commutes.
HB No. 04745 principally authored by Romualdez moves beyond pilot programs by mandating the DepEd to identify priority GIDAs and conflict-affected areas with inadequate school access, establish and staff public basic education schools in these communities, construct access roads and safe pathways leading to last-mile schools, and ensure sustained national funding for infrastructure, teachers, and maintenance.
Adiong said the measure reflects lessons learned from post-conflict and disaster rehabilitation efforts, where education access often lags behind housing and infrastructure.
“You cannot rebuild communities if children cannot get to school. This law integrates education into long-term recovery and development planning,” he pointed out.
“The House has done its part. The challenge now is to turn this policy into classrooms, teachers and safe access on the ground, especially for communities that have waited the longest,” he emphasized.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Romualdez-backed bill to set up GIDA schools gains ground”
