The Department of Education (DepEd), led by Vice President and Secretary Sara Duterte, led the simultaneous inauguration of newly constructed buildings of Last Mile Schools (LMS) in the Bicol region and the island of Leyte.
Duterte, during the inauguration held early this week, explained that the Last Mile Schools program is a program of the DepEd it allocates a separate budget as among the priorities of the department.
“Ito po ‘yong mga lugar na GIDA areas o Geographically Isolidated and Disadvantaged Areas na pinapa-prioritize ang pagbigay ng pondo para sa kanilang pasilidad, kasama na ang classroom (These are the areas known as GIDA or Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas, where the allocation of funds for their facilities, including classrooms, is given priority),” Duterte said.
Duterte, with Senator Imee Marcos, personally turned over the LMS building in Dororian National High School in Gigmoto, Catanduanes and Cristo Elementary School in Donsol, Sorsogon.
Aside from the two schools, DepEd said seven more LMS buildings were inaugurated, including Bato RDHS in SDO Catanduanes; San Miguelay Elementary School and Himokilan Elementary School in SDO Leyte; and Amaga Elementary School, Cat-iwing MG Elementary School, Bulawan Primary School, and Carnaga Elementary School in SDO Southern Leyte.
As explained by DepEd, Last Mile Schools are those with “less than four classrooms, usually makeshift and non-standard ones; with no electricity; and are usually located more than an hour away from the town center, only accessible through difficult terrains, and are located in far-flung mountains and isolated islands, among others.”
During the inauguration, Duterte also underscored the importance of “peace and collaboration” among community members to strengthen development efforts.