SENATOR Bam Aquino underscored the need to bring “Last Mile Schools” closer to students to make learning more accessible, stressing that no learner should be left behind simply because of distance.

During a Senate Committee on Basic Education hearing on legislative proposals to institutionalize Last Mile Schools in the country’s remote areas, Aquino said a proximity-based policy should be implemented, with the goal of cutting students’ travel time to around 30 to 45 minutes.

“In 2026, iyong mga kuwento na kailangan ko pang mag-tatlong oras bago makapunta sa isang eskuwelahan—dapat in 2026, that should be non-existent,” Aquino said.

“We should be able to find, whether it’s an annex or an actual school, na dapat iyong mga kabataan natin may kakayanan nang makapasok sa hindi naman ganung kahirap na sitwasyon,” he added.

Aquino stressed that one of the Department of Education’s key metrics for Last Mile Schools is that students should be able to reach them within 30 to 45 minutes.

“I haven’t seen it in the current versions stating that every Filipino student should be within 30 to 45 minutes from a school. Kung mayroon tayong lugar na masyadong malayo, we should geographically locate where we should be putting up our last-mile schools,” the senator said.

“That’s something I think that, strategically, the Department can also do,” he added.

Engr. Michael de Guzman, director of the DepEd Education Facilities Division, agreed with Aquino’s suggestion, saying the agency may establish annex schools closer to students.

“That’s a good idea. Very crucial lang diyan iyong site acquisition. If somebody’s willing to donate the land or if it’s LGU-owned, we can go into an agreement with them so we can utilize that space to build a school,” he said.

De Guzman also suggested that last-mile schools be converted into integrated schools so students can complete both elementary and high school in the same area.

“Pinag-aral mo nga ng elementary, nakatapos ng elementary. Pag nag-high school pupunta naman siya sa napakalayong lugar, baka tamarin. Mas maganda na nandoon na rin siya,” he stressed.

Aquino welcomed de Guzman’s suggestion, saying the Committee on Basic Education, which he chairs, needs policy proposals that go beyond infrastructure, supplies, and manpower.