VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio led the inauguration of newly-constructed buildings of Last Mile Schools in the Bicol region and province of Leyte.

Duterte-Carpio turned over the LMS building in Dororian National High School in Gigmoto, Catanduanes in the morning and Cristo Elementary School in Donsol, Sorsogon.

Aside from the two schools, seven more LMS buildings were inaugurated, including Bato RDHS in Schools Division Office 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.

“Ang Last Mile Schools program po ay programa ng Department of Education kung saan hinihiwalay natin ang kanilang budget dahil sila ay prayoridad ng Department of Education. 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,” Duterte-Carpio said.

The Vice President was joined by Senator Imee Marcos on the inauguration and discussed with the teachers the proposal of bills for allowances and salaries of teachers.

She also encouraged the parents to support students to understand and remind them of the importance of education.

According to the Department of Education, LMS aims to address the gaps in resources and facilities of schools that are in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Duterte-Carpio also emphasized the importance of peace and collaboration among community members to strengthen development efforts.

“Patuloy tayong magtrabaho upang magkaroon tayo ng mga mag-aaral na matatag at makabayan para sa maunlad na bayan,” she said.