By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda is pushing for the passage of 19 bills seeking the establishment of elementary schools and its conversion to integrated schools, citing the need to invest in education to lessen illiteracy and alleviate poverty in the province.
Deputy Speaker and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda
(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
She said her proposals aim to ensure that school children in her province would have better access to quality primary and secondary education.
“Let not one child be deprived of the opportunity to learn and be taught so he or she can have a better and brighter future. If the proximity becomes a hindrance for a child to go to school, then let’s bring the school closer to where the students are,” Legarda said in a statement.
“With this, I hope to further bring down the number of out-of-school youth as well as to improve the quality of education. Having easier access to education gives them no reason to stop going to school,” she added.
The former senator said investing in the education of the school children would have economic benefits to her province.
“Providing access to quality education is one of the best investments we can make to lessen illiteracy and alleviate poverty. These children are the future leaders of our province. Investing in their education will not only boost their morale but will also be our driving force to push our province towards its long-overdue progress,” Legarda said.
The House leader is proposing to convert the following elementary schools to integrated schools: Igsoro Elementary School in the Municipality of Bugasong; Lupaan and Santiago Elementary Schools in the Municipality of Laua-an; Pucio Elementary School in the Municipality of Pandan; Bacalan Elementary School in the Municipality of Sebaste; Manlacbo Elementary School in the Municipality of Valderrama; and Capoyuan Elementary School in the Municipality of Barbaza.
Legarda also sought the setting up of elementary schools in the following barangays: Barangays Tica in the Municipality of Bugasong; Brgys. Leon, Tigunhao, San Ramon, and Virginia in the Municipality of Laua-an; Barangays Codiong and Tinindugan in the Municipality of Pandan; Barangays Igmasandig, Cananghan, and Cansilayan in the Municipality of Valderrama; Barangays Mayabay in the Municipality of Barbaza; and Barangays San Isidro in the Municipality of Tibiao.