SENATOR Richard Gordon hailed the conversion of Spratly Island-based Pag-asa Elementary School into an integrated school that will cater to elementary and junior high school students.

Gordon said he was elated to learn that students residing in Pag-asa Island, which is part of Kalayaan, Palawan, will not have to travel to the Palawan mainland to access free education.

“The government’s move to establish Pag-asa Integrated Elementary and Junior High School for next school year ushers hope and relief to the young residents and the parents of Kalayaan island,” he said.

“Tulad ng pangalan ng kanilang isla, ito ay naghahatid ng mensahe ng tunay na pag-asa sa mga batang mag-aaral dahil ito ay makakatulong sa pagtupad ng kanilang pangarap tungo sa isang pagiging mabuting mamamayang Pilipino,” he added.

High school students residing in the island need to travel by sea or reside with relatives in the mainland just to go to school.

The establishment of the junior high school significantly reduces risks involved during travel.

Pag-asa is part of the nine-part Kalayaan Group of Islands under the sovereignty of the Philippine government.

Gordon, who chairs the Senate justice and human rights committee, underscored the importance of the school’s conversion for it bolsters the country’s outstanding claim of sovereignty over the Kalayaan region.

“Never can any foreign government claim that it holds dominion over Pag-asa. The upgrade of our educational facilities only tightens the grip of the nation’s tricolors in this tiny speck of land in the middle of the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

The senator has constantly supported and asserted the Philippines’ claim over the disputed region.

He said that the next government should champion a pro-Philippine stance over the disputed waters, a turnaround from the current diplomatic attitude favoring China.

“Ang ating mga senador, congressman, lahat ng tao, magkaisa at ipaglaban ang ating karapatan. Kung ‘di natin gagawin ‘yan, itutulak-tulak lang tayo ng China,” he said.