METRO MATTERS

By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA

Education has always been the foundation of my leadership. From the moment I took office as mayor, I made a commitment not just to improve our schools but to transform them into centers of excellence where every child has the tools to succeed. Education is more than just a policy. It is the key to unlocking a brighter future.

A strong public education system has the power to uplift families, empower communities, and drive national progress. In San Juan, we turned this belief into action by strengthening schools, providing modern resources, and easing financial burdens for students and their families.

Improving public schools requires vision and commitment. Alongside my father, Congressman Ronny Zamora, and now my sister, Congresswoman Bel Zamora, we worked tirelessly to expand school buildings, add classrooms, and provide modern facilities. Today, our public schools have their own wooden covered basketball courts, giving students and teachers proper spaces for sports, recreation, and community activities.

Technology is also at the heart of this transformation. Every classroom is now equipped with a 55-inch Smart TV and fiber optic internet, making learning more interactive and accessible. Beyond the school walls, we ensured that all San Juaneño public school students have free fiber optic internet at home as well. More than 12,000 students each have an exclusive learning gadget, while our nearly 500 teachers have a one-is-to-one laptop ratio.

Access to quality education should never be hindered by financial challenges. That is why all K-12 students in San Juan receive free school uniforms, PE uniforms, and exclusive Makabagong San Juan rubber shoes — even our public daycare students. Teachers and non-teaching staff receive rubber shoes as well.

Hard work deserves to be recognized. Through a city ordinance, we ensure that academic excellence is rewarded at every level. Grade 6 students with honors receive ₱2,000, those with high honors receive ₱3,000, and those with the highest honors receive ₱5,000. For Grade 10, students with honors receive ₱3,000, those with high honors receive ₱5,000, and those with the highest honors receive ₱7,000. For Grade 12, students with honors receive ₱5,000, those with high honors receive ₱7,000, and those with the highest honors receive ₱10,000. Additionally, we have an educational assistance program aimed at helping families of public school students financially.

Moreover, through the Caring Keri Foundation, led by my wife, Keri Zamora, valedictorians are awarded ₱10,000 as a reward for their excellence. Student champions in both academics and sports-related competitions, whether here or abroad, receive cash incentives. No child should be held back by financial limitations. We exert a lot of effort in trying to free students and their parents from the burden of school expenses so that their focus will just be on learning.

The dedication of our teachers is what keeps this education system strong. Their hard work shapes the future of our students, which is why we continue to support them through financial assistance, wellness programs, medical benefits, and ongoing training.

Because of these initiatives, I can confidently say that our public schools now meet or even surpass the standards of many private schools. In the City of San Juan, the gap between public and private education is getting smaller as every child, regardless of background, has access to high-quality education.

This commitment to learning is deeply personal to me. My siblings and I are fortunate to have parents who prioritize education. They have instilled in us the belief that this will pave the way for a bright future. This foundation allowed me to pursue my studies in four of the most respected educational institutions in our country and in the world, from finishing my Bachelor of Arts Major in Psychology in the De La Salle University in 1999, to completing a program in business and entrepreneurship in New York University in 2003, to earning my master’s degree in Public Administration in the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance in 2006, to completing an executive education program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University in 2015. Having experienced firsthand how education creates opportunities, I am committed to ensuring that every San Juaneño child has the same chance to succeed.

As I enter my final term as mayor, I look to the future with optimism. The work we have done to strengthen education in San Juan is not just about the present. It will continue to shape lives long after my term ends. In our Makabagong San Juan, we do not just launch programs. We build legacies of learning that will empower generations to come.