Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No,__ 397

Introduced by Representative JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN GEOGRAPHICALLY
ISOLATED DISADVANTAGED CONFLICT-AFFECTED AREAS, AND
ACCESS ROADS LEADING TO LAST MILE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Never again would a child carry the burden of going to school by crossing the rapid
waters or taking a long walk in a rough road, before the child gets to school — never.

This bill requires the convergence between the Department of Public Works and
Highways and the Department of Education in comprehensive planning and constructing
infrastructures that will benefit public students, as follows:

1) Geographically Isolated Disadvantaged Conflict-Affected Schools (GIDCAS)
2) Last Mile Public Schools
3) Access Roads to All Learners (ARAL)

It is the duty of the State to “protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality
education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to
all.” The duty of the States also includes to take concrete steps towards achieving zero literacy
by ensuring that the needs of the students are addressed, taking into consideration in having
adequate facilities and educational supplies and materials, accessible roads to schools and
availability of teaching personnel.

Though many do not realize the connection between roads and education, economists
have stressed for years that underinvestment in roads and education is holding the country back.
According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Report, only 14%
of local roads are paved, compared to 69% of national roads. Local roads are generally of poor
quality and condition, the same goes for the public school buildings. Worst, the absence of
buildings and personnel for those located in Geographically Isolated Disadvantaged Conflict-
Affected Areas (GIDCAAs) and in far-flung areas.


The schools in far flung areas (or known as Last Mile Public Schools) are located in the
farthest areas or hours away from the town centers and have less than four classrooms or any
of the following:

1) Schools farthest/remotest from town centers
2) Schools with less than 4 classrooms

3) Schools with no electricity

4) Schools with more than 50% indigenous people learners
5) Schools with less than 100 learners

6) Schools with makeshift/non-standard rooms

7) Schools with no repairs/new projects for the last 4 years

Currently, there are 8000 last mile public schools in different parts of the country that
needs to be empowered and strengthened. In addition, there is a need to upgrade school
facilities that will provide teacher more opportunities to improve teaching methods and provide
students new means of learning. Hence, the need to formulate such policy.

Investment in infrastructures which ensures equitable access to education, most
especially those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged, and vulnerable is the key intent
of this proposed legislation. It shall strengthen multi-sectoral linkages through the convergence
between the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Education and
improve access and provision of quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete education.

This bill will be the roadmap of the education system in the next three (3) years that
will bridge the gap, and navigate the way towards the development of families in
geographically isolated disadvantaged conflict-affected communities. It is intended to break
the barriers, and clear the road blocks that hinder students from learning.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is ea

SARTE SALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__307

Introduced by Representative JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN GEOGRAPHICALLY
ISOLATED DISADVANTAGED CONFLICT-AFFECTED AREAS, AND
ACCESS ROADS LEADING TO LAST MILE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Geographically Isolated
Disadvantaged Conflict-Affected Schools (GIDCAS) and All Roads to All Learners
(ARAL) Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate
steps to make such education accessible to all.

It is also the policy of the State to promote and advance the right of every Filipino to
education. The state recognizes the people’s need for a quality, affordable and adequate
educational system as a tool in nation building.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms, ~ As used in this Act:

(a) Geographically Isolated Disadvantaged Conflict-Affected Areas (GIDCAAS) refers
to communities with marginalized population physically and socio-economically
separated from the mainstream society and characterized by physical factors and

socio-economic factors.


1) Physical Factors - isolated due to distance, weather conditions, armed
conflicts and transportation difficulties (island, upland, lowland, landlocked,
hard to reach and unserved/underserved communities).

2) Socio-economic Factors (high poverty incidence, presence of vulnerable
sector, communities in or recovering from situation of crisis or armed
conflict)

(b) Access Roads to All Learners (ARAL) refers to all roads leading to the last mile
public schools.

(c) Last Mile Public Schools refers to schools in far flung areas, located in the farthest
areas or hours away from the town centers and have less than four classrooms or
any of the following:

1) Schools farthest/remotest from town centers

2) Schools with less than 4 classrooms

3) Schools with no electricity

4) Schools with more than 50% indigenous people learners
5) Schools with less than 100 learners

6) Schools with makeshift/non-standard rooms

7) Schools with no repairs/new projects for the last 4 years

SEC. 4. Coverage. - The Department of Education (DepED) is hereby mandated to be
the lead agency in the implementation of this Act. It is also mandated to formulate a guideline
of requirements and to structure a timetable to ensure the implementation of this Act, in
consultation with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), under the
following circumstances:

(a) All public schools nationwide that have no access roads;

(b) All public schools in Geographically Isolated Disadvantaged Conflict-Affected

Areas (GIDCAAs)

(c) All school buildings under the criteria of Last Mile Public Schools

For this purpose, an inventory will also include all school buildings, whether fully
functional or condemned, in all public elementary and secondary schools to determine the
physical status of each structure.

School heads shall submit to their respective Schools Division Superintendents, for
appropriate action, a report indicating the existence of or any need of repair, rehabilitation,


construction and structural damage under their respective supervisions. The exigency of
constructing new school buildings is a priority in anticipation of the increase in student
population by virtue of the implementation of Republic Act No. 10533, or the “Enhanced Basic
Education Act of 2013”.

SEC. 5. Intra-connectivity Access. ~ All schools under this coverage shall gain access
to the availability of the programs under the Public Schools of the Future in Technology
(PSOFT) that may be established by law or by the Department of Education, consistent with
the emerging Fourth Industrial Revolution and socio-economic realities being shaped by
shifting employment, demographic, cultural and other internal and external forces which may
be spurred by fast-paced technological progress.

It shall also consider a satellite-based digital learning as alternative to the traditional

mode of learning.

SEC. 6. Period of Implementation. ~The programs under this Act shall be implemented
within three (3) years

SEC. 7. Administrative Provision, ~ Failure to act any of the programs provided under
this Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations by the DepEd and DPWH officials shall
be dealt with accordingly by law through an administration action of suspension from
government service.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. ~The appropriation necessary for the implementation of this
‘Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law not otherwise affected shall remain valid and

subsisting.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,