DepEd calls for stronger DPWH, LGU collab to build more roads to schools
The Department of Education (DepEd) is seeking stronger interagency collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units (LGUs) to build more access roads leading to public schools, especially those in remote, hard-to-reach communities.
In a proposal submitted to the DPWH, the DepEd recommended that access roads to public schools be included in the former's programming and investment plans, particularly for newly built schools that currently lack proper road access.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the urgency of the issue by sharing his first-hand observations during school visits in geographically isolated areas.
"Noong pumunta kami sa Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, nakita natin ang realidad. May mga estudyanteng kailangang tumawid ng ilog at umakyat ng bundok para lang makapasok sa paaralan," Angara said in a statement.
(When we visited Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, we saw the reality on the ground. There are students who need to cross rivers and climb mountains just to reach school.)
"Hindi puwedeng puro classrooms lang ang itatayo natin kung wala namang daan papunta roon. Kung may farm-to-market road, dapat may road-to-school din," he added.
(We can't just keep building classrooms if there are no roads that lead to them. If there are farm-to-market roads, there should also be road-to-school programs.)
Angara emphasized that roads are as essential as classrooms in ensuring that education is truly accessible for all learners, especially in "last mile" schools located in far-flung areas.
The DepEd pointed to DPWH's existing partnerships with other government agencies, including the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) with the Department of Tourism, the Farm-to-Market Road Development Program (FMRDP) with the Department of Agriculture, and the ROLL-IT initiative with the Department of Trade and Industry—as working models that can be adapted for education.
To institutionalize this strategy, DepEd is proposing a special provision under its 2026 Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF). The provision would require that all newly constructed school buildings have corresponding access roads, with DPWH and LGUs coordinating the immediate construction of roads where none exist.
The DepEd also added that it is ready to work closely with DPWH and local governments to identify priority areas, ensure funding alignment, and implement infrastructure that enables students to reach their schools safely and reliably. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
7 hours ago
- GMA Network
Angara urges public: Don't pressure LGUs to suspend classes
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara on Monday appealed to local governments and parents not to hastily suspend classes during light rains, warning that frequent cancellations have a negative effect on learning among Filipino students. 'Nakikiusap din kami sa publiko, mga magulang, mga estudyante. Huwag natin masyadong i-pressure ang ating local government, chief executives na konting ulan mag-suspend na tayo dahil pag sinumatotal natin ang nawawalang araw, malaki ang dagok o tama sa ating mga estudyante, yung tinatawag na learning loss,' Angara said in an ambush interview on Monday. (We appeal to the public, to parents, to students. Let's avoid pressuring our local government officials to suspend classes every time it rains lightly, because when we total all the days we missed, the impact on our students is huge—this what we call learning loss.) He said the Department of Education (DepEd) is now requiring schools to hold make-up classes to ensure students can still complete the required learning hours. 'Yung ini-emphasize namin that there must be make-up classes kasi matindi na yung learning loss talaga. Apektado ang bata pag masyadong maraming cancellation," he said. (We're emphasizing that there must be make-up classes because the learning loss is already severe. Students are really affected when there are too many cancellations.) These make-up sessions, however, do not have to fall on weekends. 'Saturday or after school kung kailan. Depende rin sa availability ng guro," he added. (It could be on Saturdays or after school hours—depending on the availability of teachers.) Catching up Angara's statement comes as the country continues to face worsening academic performance among learners, particularly in reading and math. He said DepEd is ramping up its interventions through the ARAL Program, which provides personalized tutorial and remediation sessions. 'Well it's still quite significant especially sa literacy at math. So we're addressing it this year with the Aral program. Nakita natin na very effective yung pagbibigay ng personalized tutorials," Angara noted. (The proficiency gap is still quite significant, especially in literacy and math. So we're addressing that this year through the Aral program. We've seen that giving personalized tutorials is very effective.) He also credited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his strong support of education reforms, including an expanded feeding program, hiring of more teachers, additional classrooms, and hiring of non-teaching staff to reduce the burden on educators. The National Launch of the Expanded School-Based Feeding Program held in Antipolo City, which officially kicked off the rollout of the improved initiative targeting thousands of kindergarten pupils across the country. DepEd said the school-based feeding program has been expanded to cover 120 days and now applies to all kindergarten students nationwide—marking the first time the program has gone fully universal at that level. 'Nasa 120 days na tayo. At the first time universal feeding, ibig sabihin lahat ng bata sa kindergarten ay kasama sa feeding program this year. Dahil yun talaga ang instruction sa amin ni Secretary Ted Herbosa ni Pangulong Marcos na palawigin, palawakin, palalimin itong school feeding program natin,' Angara said. (We're now at 120 days. And for the first time, it's universal feeding—meaning all kindergarten children are included in the program this year. That's really the instruction given to us by Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and President Marcos: to expand and solidify the school feeding program.) 'Parang dati parang nasa 30-60 days lang. So ngayon umabot tayo ng 120 days," he added. (Before, it used to be only around 30 to 60 days. Now we've reached 120 days.) — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
DPWH rushing San Juanico Bridge repair to meet December 2025 deadline
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is expediting the repairs of San Juanico Bridge to increase its load limit to 12 - 15 tons by December this year, Secretary Manuel Bonoan said Sunday. 'Ongoing ang repairs sa San Juanico Bridge at pinapaspasan na namin para makaabot kami sa deadline ng Presidente,' Bonoan told Super Radyo dzBB. (Repairs on the San Juanico Bridge are ongoing, and we're expediting the work to meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's deadline.) This move came after Marcos said he wanted to restore the bridge's capacity after a three-ton load limit had been imposed since May 15, after an assessment showed that there are significant structural compromises to the bridge. 'That's a test, sabi ko pag hindi niyo natapos 'yan, tatanggapin ko 'yung resignation ninyo,' Marcos warned. (That's a test, if you don't finish that, I'll accept your resignation.) The President had said more than P500 million has already been allocated for the San Juanico Bridge's repair. Last May, the Tacloban City Council declared a state of emergency as access to San Juanico Bridge, which links the islands of Samar and Leyte in Eastern Visayas, remains limited ahead of planned repairs on the structure. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
DepEd, DOTr, UK to build 'Education City' in Taguig
The Department of Education (DepEd), together with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the United Kingdom government, has launched a major infrastructure initiative aimed at making schools more accessible through smart transit planning and climate-resilient development. The project, called the Senate-DepEd (SEED) Transit-Oriented Development Project, aims to ease student commutes while reshaping public education spaces through the creation of Education City—a future-ready, 14-hectare complex to rise in Taguig City. 'This partnership ensures that our learners and educators will also directly benefit from a well-planned, green, and safe environment that ultimately contributes to the public education objectives,' said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. Planned at the junction of two major railway lines—the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway Project—Education City will host green school buildings, open spaces, a central transport hub, teacher accommodation, and facilities for training and events. The development will also include commercial and residential areas designed to be walkable, connected, and sustainable. By integrating schools within well-connected communities, the SEED Project addresses long-standing barriers to access, especially for students in Metro Manila who face long and unsafe daily commutes. DepEd also expects the project to generate long-term revenues that could help fund new classrooms and support digital education programs nationwide. 'The UK is proud to bring in British expertise and innovation to pioneer a TOD where people can live, learn, work, and thrive — connected by efficient transport systems, designed with people at the heart, and guided by principles of sustainability and resilience,' said British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils. A working group will oversee the implementation of the project's second phase, which involves technical studies and the development of a formal proposal to be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for approval. Moreover, the initiative is backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through its Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme. It draws inspiration from London's Elizabeth Line and will be developed in collaboration with British experts, including Crossrail International. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
