SENATOR Bam Aquino has filed a bill seeking to create a separate schools division office for Northern Iloilo under the Department of Education.

In Senate Bill No. 1815, Aquino noted that Northern Iloilo is composed of geographically diverse and densely populated municipalities, with many public elementary and secondary schools located in coastal, upland, and island barangays.

At present, these schools fall under the DepEd Schools Division of Iloilo, which covers the entire province except Iloilo City. Aquino said the division’s wide territorial scope poses administrative and logistical challenges, particularly in delivering timely supervision, technical support, and essential services to remote and island communities.

The proposed measure seeks to establish a DepEd–Northern Iloilo Schools Division to bring education governance and service delivery closer to learners, teachers, and local communities.

According to the senator, creating a separate division would improve responsiveness, strengthen local education management, and enable faster and more efficient implementation of basic education programs.

The bill also aims to enhance planning, supervision, and monitoring of geographically isolated and disadvantaged schools, while promoting a more equitable distribution of resources, infrastructure, and support for educators and school administrators.

The proposed division will initially cover the municipalities of Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, Sara, and San Rafael, subject to adjustments by DepEd after proper consultation.