SENATOR Joel Villanueva expressed full support for the ratification of the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the proposed Last Mile and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) Schools Act, calling the measure a major step toward improving access to education in underserved communities nationwide.

In his manifestation before the Senate, Villanueva said the reconciled version of Senate Bill No. 1937 and House Bill No. 4745 seeks to address long-standing gaps in school infrastructure, access to education, and learning outcomes in remote and disadvantaged areas.

The senator also thanked fellow Senate conferees Bam Aquino and Sherwin Gatchalian, as well as members of the House of Representatives, for their contributions during bicameral conference deliberations.

“As author and co-sponsor of the measure, we are pleased to have arrived at a reconciled version that reflects our shared objectives,” Villanueva said.

According to Villanueva, the proposed law aims to improve school facilities nationwide by addressing resource deficiencies and strengthening coordination between national government agencies and local government units.

The measure also establishes clear standards and indicators for identifying and developing last mile schools and schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas to ensure consistency and efficiency in implementation.

Villanueva emphasized that the bill likewise recognizes the sacrifices of teaching and non-teaching personnel assigned in remote communities by providing them with appropriate compensation, allowances, and support mechanisms.

He said educators serving in difficult conditions deserve not only recognition but also concrete and sustained government assistance.

“No child should be left behind simply because they were born in a far-flung or GIDA area,” Villanueva stressed.

The senator added that the proposed measure reaffirms the government’s commitment to building a more equitable education system that reaches every learner, regardless of distance or circumstance.