SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday lauded the decision of the Department of Education to open an integrated school in Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea.

“Thank you, Department of Education, for this: Approval of the Pag-asa Integrated Elementary and High School effective next School Year, 2022-2023. Certainly a big step of hope for the young people of Kalayaan,” Lacson said.

Last week, during the DepEd’s budget plenary debates in the Senate, the senator sought additional school facilities and teachers in Pag-asa Island after learning of the plight of learners there when he visited the area.

He also pushed for added benefits for the teachers there as the island has only one elementary school and two teachers catering to 34 students.

The nearest place for the students to study high school is Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, which will take more than a day to reach, Lacson said.

The senator proposed that the government put up a high school building or integrate the high school facilities with the existing elementary school building; and hire at least one multigrade teacher who can teach high school.

Lacson asked the DepEd to provide a Special Hardship Allowance for the  teachers in Pag-asa Island.

He said they experience difficulties in travel and in teaching.

The senator has been pushing for an “Edukasyon Plus” program to break the cycle of poverty that has hounded many Filipino families.

“Edukasyon Plus” also provides free tuition and a monthly allowance of P5,000 for the period of internship for qualified senior high school students, especially Grades 11 and 12 who enter a government internship program.